Chester's First Selectwoman Writes Letter To The Town

CHESTER, CT — In response to the happens at the Capitol Wednesday, Chester First Selectman wrote this letter to the town:

Dear Chester,

This is a very sad day for America. First, and thankfully, our congressional leaders are in a safe place, and are not hurt. I pray for the continued safety of the Police, National Guard, Capitol staff, Congress, and our nation.

While peaceful protest is a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, today's events at the Capitol have gone beyond anything that could be called by that name. The disrespect to our institutions, laws, elected officials and democracy has crossed the line to sedition and criminality. So far, as I write this, at least one person in the building has been shot and killed, and there has been an explosive device discovered inside the Capitol building.

To my knowledge, no event resembling this has taken place since perhaps during the War of 1812. This afternoon, legislators were rushed out of the chambers in gas masks, historic windows and doors were shattered, weapons were carried through the chambers, pictures and photographs were taken from offices or destroyed, masks were rarely seen. This manufactured chaos is inexcusable and shameful. The instigators and participants in this violent attempt at insurrection must be held accountable for their criminal behavior.

Clearly, the divisions in our country are deep and we have hard work to do at every level of government. These violent actions will not solve our problems. They are a stain on our history and an assault on our democracy and the rule of law. They do nothing to protect you during a pandemic, nor work to protect either your rights or security. The America I know is better than this.

Lauren