Salem Officials Condemn 'Attack' On U.S. Capitol

SALEM, MA — Salem political and educational leaders joined together in condemning the breach of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday that forced Vice President Mike Pence to evacuate the building, members of Congress to shelter in place for their safety and left one woman dead from a gunshot wound.

"We've weathered foreign attacks, natural disasters and pandemics," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll posted on her Twitter account. "Never has the peaceful transfer of power been marred by violence. I'm proud of the integrity of this election. We showed what kind of Americans we are.

"The U.S. Capitol is the people's house and this attack must end."

The U.S. House and Senate were debating objections to the Electoral College vote, which had President-elect Joe Biden beating President Donald Trump 306 to 232, when election protestors from a Trump-inspired "Save America" rally converged on the U.S. Capitol.

Rioters breached the building with photos from inside of the building showing them in the House Chamber and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's office. Tear gas was also seen coming from the front of the building where some rioters claimed balconies and what is to be the inauguration stage when Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20.

"As children watch, let us remind them that what they are seeing is not a protest but rather an act of violence and threat to the foundational values of our great nation," Salem Superintendent of Schools Stephen Zrike posted on his Twitter account. "Our children need to know that our democracy is far stronger than today's efforts to undermine what we stand for."

(Trump Mob Breaches Capitol; 1 Killed In Melee; Biden Decries Riot)

State Sen. Joan Lovely posted that while she has "boundless respect for peaceful protest" she was "deeply disturbed by the dangerous demonstrations outside the U.S. Capitol.

"Democratic societies will continue to thrive only if all sides respect the results of free and fair elections," she continued. "We must work together to better our nation and fight the pandemic rather than resort to violence."

Rep. Paul Tucker reacted to a photo of a woman commandeering the Senate President's chair in the Senate Chamber: "The nation's Capitol building has seen protests before. This is not a protest. This is a crime which every elected official needs to condemn. Stunning scene under the motto: 'Out of many. One.'"

The nation’s Capital Building has seen protests before. This is not a protest. This is a crime which every elected official needs to condemn. Stunning scene under the motto “Out of many, One”. pic.twitter.com/2gA6Loe2ge
— Paul Tucker (@PaulTuckerSalem) January 6, 2021

Driscoll concluded with a similar sentiment: "As our children watch, let us stand together to condemn the violent occupation of our nation's Capitol by an angry mob unhinged by the results of a free and fair democratic election.

"This is an attack on our American democracy and our 230-year history of peaceful transitions of power."

Related Patch Coverage: 'This Is Anarchy': MA Lawmakers Speak Amid Chaos At Capitol Hill