Reactions to the Capitol insurrection

Security personnel, with gun drawn, defending barricaded door of House chamber, Jan. 6, 2021. From video by Rep. Video shot by Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) - via Michael Moore on Facebook
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A sampling of official reactions to Wednesday’s storming of the Capitol, from Greater Morristown and New Jersey. What are your thoughts?  Check back for updates.


Gov. Phil Murphy, Democrat

Remarks by Governor Murphy on Yesterday’s Violent Insurrection in Washington, D.C.
Jan. 7, 2021
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

The fact that we all woke up this morning to the reality of President-elect Joe Biden’s election formalized by the United States Congress is proof that our democracy is stronger than an unhinged mob.

The scene that unfolded yesterday in the Capitol Building will go down as one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. Every insurrectionist who tried to overthrow the free and fair election of President-elect Biden should be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for desecrating the cradle of American democracy. They should be given no quarter. They are not patriots. They are the antithesis of what it means to be an American.

This was not a protest. It was an act of domestic terrorism spurred on by the president himself and his minions.

The president’s refusal to accept the reality that he lost an election created this. His years of lies and willful misinformation created this. His belief that the laws don’t apply to him created this. His spewing of unfounded conspiracy theories created this. His unwillingness to understand even the basic precepts of the Constitution created this.

I am relieved that the members of Congress were all safe and were able to complete their Constitutionally mandated task of counting and formalizing Joe Biden’s election as our 46th President. In two weeks, with his inauguration, the renewal of America will begin in earnest.

I have deployed 500 members of the New Jersey National Guard to Washington, DC, to assist in the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another. I trust they will represent the highest values of our state and our republic. I wish them well. And I thank Interim Adjutant General Colonel Dr. Lisa Hou and State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan for their leadership.

Make no mistake, yesterday was no accident.

It was the result of four years of gaslighting and concerted attempts from within to weaken our democracy. But our democracy proved more resilient than the deranged conspiracy theories.

And for that, I say, God bless America.


New Jersey Education Association:

NJEA’s officers, President Marie Blistan, Vice President Sean M. Spiller and Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty issued this statement this morning regarding yesterday’s violent insurrection at the United States Capitol:

“The shameful and un-American insurrection at the United States Capitol yesterday was a low point in American history. But while it was horrifying to watch that rioting criminal mob, their attack on America ultimately failed because our democracy is stronger than their cynicism, hatred and violence.

“Despite the complicity and dishonesty of far too many elected leaders who fomented this violence by supporting the President’s protracted attacks on our American values, democracy prevailed when Congress carried out its duty to certify the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

“While we honor that outcome, we will not allow it to make us complacent. Our democracy is resilient, but it is not guaranteed. The last four years have demonstrated that we will only have a democracy for as long as the people demand it. Failing that, we will be subject to the will of a violent minority.

“As educators, it is our sacred duty to prepare every generation of students to understand, respect and participate in the functioning of our government. We must use the coming four years to rebuild our damaged institutions and recommit to our democratic values. Public schools will be a fundamental part of that work and educators, as always, will lead.

“We must also note the disturbing contrast between the deferential treatment of yesterday’s violent mob and the aggressive, violent treatment of so many peaceful protesters over the course of the last year and throughout our history. There is no question that racism drives that difference. There is no question that white privilege protected yesterday’s insurrectionists when institutional and individual racism have long exposed so many non-violent protesters of color to great physical harm.

“It is no mere coincidence that the insurrection took place in support of a president and members of Congress who were attempting to disenfranchise millions of voters of color and to substitute their own will for the will of the American people. Racism and true democracy cannot coexist. To be truly democratic we must pursue and achieve anti-racism. That will remain the work of our union and the work of all who truly believe in the founding values of our nation.”


State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-25th Dist.)

“The protests turned violent mob yesterday in the halls of our government will leave a disgraceful and embarrassing stain on our nation’s history. All of us who serve in government, elected by the people and for the people, must adhere to the peaceful transition of power that has made us the greatest country on earth and preserved our republic for over 200 years.

“There is no room in our democracy for violence, the destruction of property, or the disruption of that orderly transition. Democracy will prevail, just as law and order will prevail over disorder and chaos.

“Those who broke the law yesterday must be prosecuted to the fullest extent. I want to thank our law enforcement officers and military personnel who once again selflessly answered the call, put their lives at risk, and restored order to our Capitol. I am always grateful for their service.

“I continue to urge the President to choose leadership in this moment and follow an orderly transition of power in these final days of his administration.”


Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

Sen. Cory Booker’s remarks during the Senate certification of the presidential election:


Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) released the following statement reacting to the violent, seditious attack on the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021:

“Today, I shed a tear for our country, which for centuries has inspired the world through its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.  From Moscow to Beijing and beyond, autocrats are likely smiling as they witness America in disarray, at war with itself, and no longer a credible messenger for the democratic values that have always defined our great Republic.

“How we arrived at this moment, with domestic terrorists storming Congress and desecrating the Capitol, should be no mystery.  This was not an act of patriotism, but an act of sedition.  For months, President Trump has fed Americans a steady diet of lies and disinformation in an effort to overthrow the November 2020 election and cling on to power.
“This afternoon, the President poured fuel on that fire by inciting a lawless and violent takeover of the United States Capitol.  But he alone is not solely responsible for today’s chaos and disorder.

“For weeks, the same Republicans behind a meritless effort to disrupt the constitutionally-mandated certification of President-elect Biden’s 306 electoral votes have parroted Donald Trump’s wild and baseless conspiracy theories.  It is outrageous that some members of the House and Senate would spread lies instead of upholding their oath to the Constitution, to stand up for truth, democracy, and the rule of law.

“That is why as soon as the Capitol building is secured, we must immediately resume our constitutional duty, certify the Electoral College results, and reaffirm the will of the American people, who voted in unprecedented numbers for the Biden-Harris ticket.  And if the results in Georgia are any indication, the voters have rejected the President’s poisonous effort to taint our democracy, and are ready for a new Democratic Majority in the Senate to get to work advancing President-elect Biden’s bold agenda.

“Accepting losses at the ballot box is never easy—but it is the American way.  Should Americans lose their faith in the integrity of our elections, from the White House down to the school board, we may soon be left with nothing but the shadow of a once great Republic.

“On January 20th, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn into office in a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

“It is a dark day in our country’s history.  But we will withstand it.  We will return to the chambers.  We will finish counting the Electoral College votes—no matter how long it takes—because our democracy is alive.  And we will certify Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next President and Vice President of the United States.”


Morris Township Deputy Mayor Mark Gyorfy, Democrat, former staff member for Rep. Albio Sires (D-8th Dist.)

From Township reorganization meeting, Jan. 6:

Before I get into my prepared remarks for this evening, I’d like to echo the comments on the events that unfolded at the Capitol complex today. As someone who worked in those buildings and walked the halls and grounds of Capitol Hill for several years, today’s events hit particularly close to home for me. My thoughts are with my former colleagues who dutifully serve the American people each day. We cannot condemn the actions that occurred today enough and it is my hope that those who have the power to influence those who tried to attack our democracy in Washington summon the courage to end the hateful rhetoric and move on to repairing the fractures in our republic.


Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, a Democrat, reacts on Jan. 6:

 

Mayor Dougherty’s January 6, 2021 Update

Posted by Town of Morristown, NJ on Wednesday, January 6, 2021


 

Morris Township Committeeman William “Bud” Ravitz, Democrat, at Township reorganization, Jan. 6:

A quick side note on historic events transpiring in Washington DC today. Storming the US Capital is not being patriotic. It’s the exact opposite. It’s plunging a dagger right into the heart of democracy in the United States. Let’s all hope that cooler heads prevail now and through Inauguration Day.

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