FL Political Leaders Plea For Peace After Capitol Breached

TAMPA, FL — Political leaders throughout Tampa Bay are keeping a close eye on events in Washington, D.C., Wednesday after protesters breached the U.S. Capitol and mayhem ensued.

At 1 p.m., members of Congress were beginning to tally the Electoral College votes that gave the presidency to Joe Biden when the building was stormed by protesters. Political leaders were whisked away for their protection.

See related story: Trump Mob Breaches Capitol; 1 Shot In Melee; Biden Decries Riot

During the chaos, Metropolitan police and National Guardsmen faced down the demonstrators. CNN confirmed through Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck that a woman was shot inside the Capitol and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Several other people were injured.

Nevertheless, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced at 7 p.m. that “in consultation with Leader Hoyer and Whip Clyburn and after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the Vice President, we have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use."

Political leaders throughout Florida were quick to rebuke the protesters.

“What we are seeing today, is un-American plain and simple," said Democratic Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. "We are a nation that welcomes peaceful protests; they move our country forward and have shaped legislation throughout our history. What is happening right now is an attack on our democratic process and institutions.

She said her thoughts are with the Metropolitan police and the National Guard "who are working to restore order so that our legislative branch can fulfill its duty and honor the will of our nation’s voters.”

"I am shocked at the heartbreaking, anti-American events we have witnessed in our United States Capitol today," said U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg.

At 5 p.m., he sent out a tweet vowing that Congress will reconvene and "do the work of the people. The election will be certified."

In the meantime, he pleaded for peace on the streets of the nation's Capitol and elsewhere around the country.

"I urge my fellow Americans to reject this false, unpatriotic and harmful misinformation, cease the violence and honor the will of the voters," Crist said. "Peaceful protest is a sacred right enshrined in our Constitution, but this is not peace; it’s insurrection."

"It’s entirely outrageous that the defeated president is egging on racist white supremacists for violent action, disrupting a peaceful transfer of power," said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.
"Have no doubt: Joe Biden will be sworn in as president in two weeks."

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, who announced Wednesday morning that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, joined his colleagues across the aisle in urging an end to the violence.

"My staff has been told to shelter in place for their safety, and I am watching the scene at the Capitol unfold," said Bilirakis, who is in isolation due to his positive diagnosis. "While I support the constitutionally protected right for peaceful protest, some of the images I am seeing on the news do not constitute a peaceful demonstration. These unruly behaviors are completely unacceptable and place law enforcement and countless individuals in harm’s way."

Only days on the job after being elected the represent District 15, U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin (R-Lakeland) stayed away from social media Wednesday.

However, he was among 37 Republican House members who signed a statement ahead of the Electoral College vote vowing to vote "to sustain objections to slates of electors submitted by states we believe clearly violated the Constitution in the presidential election of 2020. This is our solemn duty, and our position on this threshold legal question has been widely known and published for weeks," according to the statement issued Tuesday. It was also signed by Florida Republican House members Daniel Webster, T.W. Gregory Steube, Bill Posey, John Rutherford and Michael Waltz.

Republican Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott urged an end to the violence.

"There is nothing patriotic about what is occurring on Capitol Hill. This is third-world-style anti-American anarchy," Rubio said.

"The thugs who stormed the Capitol today and incited violence should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Every single one of them," Scott said. "Everyone has a right to peacefully protest. No one has a right to commit violence. What happened today at the Capitol is disgraceful and un-American. It is not what our country stands for. Thank you to the Capitol police for your bravery today. I believe Congress should return tonight and finish our work."

The demonstrators who stormed the U.S. Capitol could be charged with federal crimes.

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