‘This is NOT who we are,’ Ortt says after Capitol breached by Trump supporters
Supporters of President Donald Trump pushed through barriers and security to breach the U.S. Capitol building today at about 1 p.m., stopping the count to certify the electoral vote for Joe Biden.
The breach by the protestors prompted members of Congress to be evacuated.
Area elected officials have issued the following statements:
State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda: “As a veteran, I’ve proudly fought for American’s right to protest peacefully. There is nothing peaceful about the chaos in Washington today. This is NOT who we are.”
Congressman Chris Jacobs, R-Orchard Park: “I condemn the violence and destruction that is taking place in our nation’s capital in the strongest possible terms. While our country cherishes peaceful protest, this current behavior is unacceptable and has no place in a democracy. I urge all protestors to immediately and peacefully leave the Capitol building and the surrounding area and to follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel.”
Congressman Joe Morelle, D-Rochester: “I am safe and sheltering in place while the Capitol is on lockdown. There is no place in our democracy for this violence. It must stop.”
Congressman Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo: “The US Capitol is a sacred space — a building at the literal center of our capital and central to our democracy. The actions of protestors today, egged on by the outgoing President to disrupt the certification of electrical votes of what is a ceremonial formality, should be seen by all Americans as a challenge to the legitimacy of our democracy. This is domestic terrorism and it has no place in America.”
Congressman Tom Reed, R-Corning: “Violence such as what we are seeing at the Capitol is absolutely unacceptable. We must de-escalate the situation immediately. We are Americans and do not do this.
“My heart breaks for our nation right now. Our country and its beautiful democracy is better than this. Our Constitution calls for the civil transition of power and though we may not agree with the election results, we must agree to always act with honor and civility towards all. We believe in the right to peacefully protest, but we must emphatically reject these horrible instances of physical attacks on our governing institutions and let democracy proceed.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo: “The cornerstone of our democracy is the peaceful transfer of power. We must call this what it actually is: a failed attempt at a coup. This is the final chapter of an incompetent, cruel, and divisive administration that has trampled on the Constitution and the rule of law at every turn, and we won’t let President Trump, the members of Congress who enable him, or the lawless mob that stormed our nation’s Capitol steal our democracy. The election results are clear and the will of the American people will be carried out.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia: “We have our First Amendment for a reason, violence is never acceptable regardless of what you believe politically. We are a people of one nation, regardless of political beliefs.”
