We need more bipartisanship in defense of the rights of the people. Thanks to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who speak out against injustice and the erosion of liberty and the Constitution. ### Rep. Justin Amash (R., Mich.), a conservative with libertarian leanings, was one of the first to tweet, calling the reports from Ferguson “frightening” and asking “Is this a war zone or a US city?” He said the government was escalating tensions with use of military equipment and tactics. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) tweeted: “This is America, not a war zone. The people of #Ferguson just want answers. We all want answers.” Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), an avid user of social media, tweeted a photo of people holding a sign that read, “Peaceful protest is a right.” Missouri Sens. Roy Blunt (R.) and Claire McCaskill (D.) also used Twitter to assure constituents they were working to resolve the situation. Mr. Blunt said he was “staying in contact w/ local, state & federal officials & urge everyone to please be safe in #Ferguson,” while Ms. McCaskill saying she was “continuing to work the phones to de escalate the tense and unacceptable situation in Ferguson.” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D., Texas) took a jab at potential 2016 presidential candidates Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) and Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.), saying “I’m sure that Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are going speak up for the liberty and freedom of the ppl of Ferguson against govt overreach soon.” The tweet was followed up moments later with a message saying “My prayers are with the community in Ferguson for a peaceful resolution between police and citizens. Gov. Nixon must take control.” Mr. Cruz issued a statement Thursday morning on Facebook, saying “Civil liberties must be protected, but violence is not the answer. Once the unrest is brought to an end, we should examine carefully what happened to ensure that justice is served.” Mr. Cruz’s statement also focused on reports of the arrests of journalists, saying “reporters should never be detained — a free press is too important — simply for doing their jobs.” Two reporters covering the protests were booked into jail Wednesday night, and a TV crews were hit with bean bags and tear gas. And later Thursday, Mr. Paul published an op-ed in Time which he wrote: “There is a legitimate role for the police to keep the peace, but there should be a difference between a police response and a military response. The images and scenes we continue to see in Ferguson resemble war more than traditional police action.” Rep John Lewis (D., Ga.), a longtime civil-rights leader, said in a statement: “This is not China or Russia or Syria. This is America, and in this country we have a right to protest in a peaceful, orderly non-violent fashion, and the press should be free to cover these protests without fear. The police should not interfere in the exercise of these constitutional rights. If people are not allowed to express their dissatisfaction through peaceful protest, they will find other means to make their voices heard. The Twitter account for the Democrats of the House Judiciary committee tweeted about the discord as well, saying that people in Ferguson “have a right to peaceful assembly under the #FirstAmendment of U.S. Constitution,” add that it is “required knowledge by law enforcement.” On Thursday morning, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D., Ohio) tweeted “#Ferguson deserves better. The rights of our citizens and of our free press shall not be denied.” Rep. Hank Johnson (D., Ga.) posted a statement Thursday that he will be filing legislation titled “The Stop Militarizing Law Enforcment Act” to control the transfer of military equipment from the Pentagon to state and local law enforcement agencies.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 22:05:26 +0000
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