Over the weekend the Republican State Central Committee, by someone’s motion from the floor, considered a resolution regarding January 6th and “recognizing the citizens who have been held without due process.” I oppose this resolution, which I’m disappointed was adopted by the Central Committee (though thankfully only narrowly). But I have questions. Who has been wrongfully detained? How many have been wrongfully detained? On the basis of what knowledge is someone claiming these people are being wrongfully detained? Do they know whether they were mirandized? Have any of the people been denied bail? If so, have the supporters of the resolution put themselves in a judge’s seat to review the bail decisions and criminal records of each detainee?
The right to peaceably assemble, the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and the freedom of speech are the bedrock of our Constitutional rights. For some, that fateful, dark day began by lawfully exercising those rights. But many who were called upon and encouraged to so act, and others who may have acted on their own accord, subsequently abandoned constitutionally protected conduct in favor of ignoring law enforcement, ignoring the rules of access at the Capitol, ignoring the method by which we seek redress of grievances, ignored and disregarded decency and respect to our constitution, which resulted in threats of violence, which became trespass, criminal intimidation and threats, and tragically, actual violence.
Congress has thoroughly investigated the events surrounding that day with complete transparency and found as much. In fact, hundreds of participants in the disgraceful attack on the United States Capitol have offered apologies for the shame that they have brought upon themselves and their families, many citing the former President’s own months-long run of comments about a stolen election and calls to action.
If there are people being held improperly, they are entitled to avail themselves of America’s justice system, a system built and used every day to protect those rights with zeal and resolve, and neither state party is suited to determine whether that’s happening.
In 2021, other members of this body saw what I saw that day, and expressed the same disgust and horror. At least one conversation was held about our own security in the State Capitol building. What I saw on January 6, 2021 was not a lawful exercise of constitutional rights, but a criminal assault on our democracy and the institutions that guarantee it. I will not honor it, will not water it down, hedge or equivocate about it, or stand by idly as others try to white wash the events that transpired on that day. I vehemently oppose and do not support the resolution the state party decided to issue.