“Our staff, our Capitol police, our housemaids. We thank you …”
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Thursday led in an emotional testimony to remind fellow Democrats of their traumatic experiences of the deadly January 6 riots.
Speaking on the floor of the house, she doubled the calls to hold Republican politicians, including her own colleagues, responsible for the attack.
“Less than twenty-nine days later, with little or no responsibility for the bloodshed and trauma of the 6th, some are already demanding that we continue, or worse, to try to minimize, discredit or diminish the accounts of survivors. . “
Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota said he, out of fear for their safety, shouted for his colleagues that day to follow him to the Republican side of the floor.
“Because I felt that the insurgents who were trying to break down the doors here would spare us if they only mistaken us as Republicans. But within moments, I realized it was not an option for my colleagues of color. I’m here tonight to say to my brothers and sisters in Congress and across our country: I’m sorry. I am sorry. Because I never understood what privilege really means. ‘
Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, who is a Muslim, recounted how the riots reminded her of death threats she received on her very first day as a congresswoman.
“I have not even been sworn in yet and someone wanted me to be dead because I just existed. More to come later, uglier, more violent, one who celebrated the writing of the massacre in New Zealand and hopes that more would come, another who my dear son, Adam I call him by name.Every time paralyzed me …. And therefore I urge my colleagues to please take seriously what happened on January 6. It will lead to more death and we can do better. We must do better. “
No Republicans took part in the testimony Thursday, which came shortly after the House voted to remove controversial lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene from two high-level committees.
Greene, a Republican, has come under fire for her history of inflammatory remarks, including supporting violence against Democrats.
Video transcription
– U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led an emotional testimony Thursday to remind fellow Democrats of their traumatic experiences of the January 6 fatal riots at the Capitol. to be held responsible for the attack.
ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: Less than 29 days later, with little or no accountability for the bloodshed and trauma of the 6th, some are already demanding that we continue, or worse, try to limit, diminish or diminish the accounts of survivors.
– Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota said he, out of fear for their safety, shouted for his colleagues that day to follow him to the Republican side of the floor.
DEAN PHILLIPS: Because I felt that the insurgents who were trying to break down the doors here would spare us if they only mistaken us as Republicans. But within moments, I realized that it was not an option for my colleagues of color to interfere. So I’m here tonight to say to my brothers and sisters in Congress and across our country: I’m sorry. I am sorry. Because I never understood what privilege really means.
– Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, who is a Muslim, recounted how the riots reminded her of death threats she received on her very first day as Congresswoman.
RASHIDA TLAIB: I have not even been sworn in when someone wants to kill me because I just exist. More came later, uglier, more violent. One who celebrates and writes, the New Zealand massacre, and hopes that more would come. Another that my dear son, Adam, mentions.
(CRYING) That’s why I have to ask my colleagues to please take seriously what happened on January 6th. This will lead to more deaths. And we can do better. We need to do better.
– No Republicans took part in the testimony Thursday, which came shortly after the House voted to remove controversial lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene from two high-level committees. Greene, a Republican, has come under fire for her history of inflammatory remarks, including supporting violence against Democrats.