In their dozens, they had driven from the other end of the district, at times more than two hours each way, bearing signs declaring that no, they were not paid protesters, and depicting their Republican congressman as a piece of sausage — a play on their new nickname for him.
Their message to Dave Brat, their recently re-elected Virginia congressman, was simple: Watch your back. But more importantly: watch Donald Trump.
As backlash against Mr Trump grows, Mr Brat is one of several Republicans who have found themselves under fire for their support of the Republican president, in a protest movement that some believe is shaping up to become a Tea Party of the left.