Calls For RI Rep. Justin Price To Resign Following Capitol Riot

PROVIDENCE, RI — A South County lawmaker drew criticism and calls for his resignation after he attended a protest at the U.S. Capitol last week that ended in a violent siege of congressional chambers and offices.

Republican state Rep. Justin Price, representing District 39, said he attended the protest and claimed "Antifa false flag" protesters were behind the violence that ensued.

"Yes I marched to the capitol with 1 million peaceful patriots," Price tweeted. "Unfortunately ANTIFA /BLM infiltrated our peaceful movement and they got caught in the act."

In a now-deleted tweet, Price said there were "many more videos of ANTIFA FALSE FLAG attack at the Capitol in DC. Trump supporters stopped ANTIFA that were attacking our capitol!!"

There is no credible evidence antifa activists were connected to the Capitol siege, The New York Times reported.

A top Republican defended Price, while others called for his resignation.

Fellow Republican and House Minority Leader Blake Filippi tweeted, "House members are expelled for bad acts, not bad thoughts. There are no allegations that Rep. Price did anything other than attend what he believed to be a lawful protest, and to express his opinion about what happened that sad day — and this is where a House inquiry ends."

The House Republican Caucus declined to comment on the controversy.

Treasurer Seth Magaziner called for Price's removal, saying he "has abused his platform by amplifying false conspiracy theories surrounding the attack on the U.S. Capitol."

"His behavior risks inflaming an already charged situation by encouraging those seeking to overturn the election," Magaziner said in a statement. "As elected officials we are duty-bound to defend our democratic system of government, to tell our constituents the truth and to promote public health in the midst of this pandemic."

Magaziner also criticized Price for not wearing a mask during last week's House session, saying he endangered fellow lawmakers and staff.

A Change.org petition calling for Price's resignation had more than 1,000 signatures as of Monday.

Sunrise Providence, the local chapter of the national organization of young people aimed at addressing global climate issues, also called for Price's immediate expulsion or resignation.

"Rep. Price promoted racist, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that led the attack on the Capitol, was in attendance during the attempted coup and has subsequently defended the people who stormed the building," the statement read. "Each of these offenses are completely unacceptable and Rep. Price cannot be allowed to remain in our state's legislature."

Newly elected House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said in a statement that any lawmaker found to have committed a crime during the siege of the Capitol will face consequences, per the state’s constitution. He did not comment on Price’s actions specifically.

"The acts of domestic terrorism in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday, aimed at overturning the Presidential election, were treasonous, illegal, and despicable," Shekarchi said. "The U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island has vowed to investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who traveled from Rhode Island to commit federal crimes at our nation's Capitol. If any state representative committed such crimes, the House of Representatives will act swiftly and decisively to the fullest extent possible under Article VI, Section 7 of the Rhode Island Constitution. Let’s not forget that five Americans died on that tragic day."

Read more:

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• Cicilline, Others Call For Trump Removal Following Capitol Siege
  
• 'Say A Prayer For Our Country': RI Lawmakers On Capitol Chaos