‘Disgusting:’ State lawmakers react to storming of U.S. Capitol
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – Heightened security at the state Capitol was a visual reminder of the violence that occurred in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
Officers from different agencies patrolled the exterior and interior of the state Capitol building as the state Assembly was in session to vote on coronavirus legislation.
The Assembly voted unanimously to pass a resolution condemning political violence.
“When peaceful protest turns into something other than that, that is where a very strong line needs to be drawn and condemnation needs to occur,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R – Rochester) said on the floor when introducing the resolution.
Vos later told reporters that was personally upset at the violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol.
“What I saw yesterday, it’s just disgusting,” Vos said. “It’s the only word that comes to mind.”
Speaker Vos did not say if he thought President Trump was to blame for inciting the violence. Vos said individuals were responsible for their own actions. Actions, he said, that were regrettable.
He also noted he also disapproved of violence that occurred around racial justice protests over the summer, including in Madison and Kenosha.
“It’s not just something that’s happening in Washington DC yesterday, it’s been something that’s been happening for victor the last six to eight months and it’s disgusting,” Vos told reporters. “We should not be having a time where it is ever remotely acceptable that people use anything besides peaceful protest to show their displeasure with what is happening in our country.”
Representative David Bowen (D – Milwaukee) had similar words for what transpired in Washington D.C.
“Absolutely disgusting,” Bowen told CBS 58.
Bowen’s dismay, however, was directed at the contrast in treatment by law enforcement with Trump supporters in D.C. compared to Black Lives Matter protesters over the summer.
“[It’s] just absolutely disappointing just to see this contrast that we have,” Bowen said. “Kids that have been met with tanks, that have been met with tear gas, that have been met with rubber bullets; And you have grown adults engaging in White domestic terrorism. It’s unfortunate and it’s inexcusable that it happened to the degree that we’ve seen.”
Bowen said he hoped Republicans in the Legislature were as vocal in condemning the violence at the U.S. Capitol as they were in condemning violence that happened in places like Kenosha.