As chaos and destruction broke out on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, a number of area political leaders weighed in:
Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY25) from Irondequoit, tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that he was safe:
I am safe and sheltering in place while the Capitol is on lockdown.
— Joe Morelle (@RepJoeMorelle) January 6, 2021
There is no place in our democracy for this violence. It must stop.
U.S Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), didn't think much of President Donald Trump's call for a peaceful situation at the Capitol:
It's a little late for that. Don't you think? https://t.co/Yp8XuEvvuM
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 6, 2021
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, (D-NY), also tweeted about the rioting:
My staff and I are in a secure location and are safe. Today's events are disgraceful but will not change the fact that Joe Biden will be the President of the United States on January 20.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) January 6, 2021
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello posted this statement on social media:
"What’s happening at the United States Capitol is shocking and contrary to the values we share as Americans. Violence in response to free and fair elections is un-American, period. Everyone needs to condemn these actions – regardless of political party or ideology, and it is time for the President to act swiftly to ensure this anarchy comes to an end. We need to come together during this time of crisis to rise above those who are trying to divide us. I pray for the safety and security of those inside the Capitol, and hope for a peaceful end to this situation."
Among those also reacting to the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, was a statement sent from Monroe County Legislature President Joe Carbone and Republican Majority Leader Steve Brew:
"The acts of violence taking place at the Capitol are despicable and an affront to the American people. The Republican Majority of the Monroe County Legislature denounces and condemns these deliberate acts of intimidation and violence. The actions of the involved individuals constitute an attack against democracy and our values as Americans. This must end now.”
Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY 23) released the following statement:
"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."
We must call today's violence what it actually is: a failed attempt at a coup.
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 6, 2021
We won’t let President Trump, those in Congress who enable him, or the lawless mob that stormed the Capitol steal our democracy.
The will of the American people will be carried out. pic.twitter.com/8DSeHJYzmN
Governor Andrew Cuomo also said New York will send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
"At the request of United States National Guard officials, I am deploying 1,000 members of the New York National Guard to Washington, D.C. for up to two weeks to aid and facilitate the peaceful transition of presidential power. This deployment will not impact our state's ongoing efforts to contain and combat the COVID virus. For 244 years, the cornerstone of our democracy has been the peaceful transfer of power, and New York stands ready to help ensure the will of the American people is carried out, safely and decisively. God bless our brave men and women in uniform, and God bless the United States of America."
24th District Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus), tweeted that he was grateful for everyone who reached out to check on his safety.
The attack on the U.S. Capitol is shameful and completely unacceptable. It has endangered the lives of our law enforcement and countless others.
— Rep. John Katko (@RepJohnKatko) January 6, 2021
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren released this statement:
"What is happening in our nation’s capital is terrible and reprehensible. The rioters are trying to overturn the results of a free and fair election. They will not succeed. That these protestors were allowed to storm the halls of Congress also shows the complete double standard in how different groups in our society are treated. We must all be willing to put in the work to rebuild our nation because we are stronger together. We must have principled disagreements while maintaining mutual respect. I call for all to act with compassion, and I’m confident that, in the end, the transition to a new president will be welcomed and we will move forward."
Local disability rights activist Stephanie Woodward was watching coverage of the rioting at the Capitol on Wednesday, and was surprised the police at that building didn’t have a stronger presence before things got out of hand.
Woodward, an attorney who is co-founder of an organization called Disability EmpowHer Network, said that usually Capitol Police are quick to make arrests at demonstrations she has been involved with.
"Whenever I protested, I’ve been arrested; they have been prepared for us, whether or not they knew we were going to protest at the Capitol. If we were a large group protesting in the vicinity of a Capitol building, they would have additional Capitol Police...they would have zip ties ready for us," Woodward said.
Woodward said that watching the coverage on Wednesday felt like a double standard in terms of how police initially reacted to the demonstrators who broke into the Capitol.
