Rep. Al Green
Alexander (Al) N. GreenBiden promises support for Texas in the midst of winter storm recovery Biden turns focus into winter storm with trip to Texas LIVE COVERAGE: Senate opens second trial of Trump’s dismissal MORE (D-Texas) sends a message to QAnon and right-wing extremist threats sitting on the steps of the Capitol on Thursday, the date authorities warned that militia groups were planning another breach in the building.
“I want to make a statement to let people know, to those who would threaten those of us who love this freedom that we have here and who refuse to allow these threats to deny our freedom,” he told The Hill.
Capitol police and the FBI have warned that militia groups that participated in the deadly insurgency on the Capitol on Jan. 6, when a group of Trump supporters tried to disrupt Electoral College vote certification, had drew up plans for a second attack on 4 March.
Some conspiracy theorists have spread the above idea President Trump
Donald TrumpHouse Approves Bill on Election Reform and Voting Rights DEA Puts Agent Seen Outside Capitol During Leverage Riots Georgia Gov. Kemp says he would “absolutely” support Trump as a candidate in the 2024 MORE will be inaugurated on that date, despite losing the November presidential election.
Green’s decision to protest peacefully comes after Congress canceled voting on Thursday. House Democrats accelerated the passage of a police reform bill Wednesday night due to news that credible threats appeared.
“I love my country and I believe that freedom is not free,” he tweeted. “Others have made great sacrifices for the freedoms I enjoy. I refuse to hand over the Capitol of our nation to those who would remain in my freedom. Therefore, as a matter of personal principle, I will be at the Capitol complex today.”
I love my country and I believe that freedom is not free. Others have made great sacrifices for the freedoms I enjoy. I refuse to hand over the Capitol of our nation to those who would remain in my freedom. So, as a matter of personal principle, I will be at the Capitol complex today.
– Congressman Al Green (@RepAlGreen) March 4, 2021
Green said he felt he needed to take a stand against protesters to send a message that his traps would not affect democracy, adding that people have lost their lives fighting for freedom in the United States and need to be protected.
“I want to send a message to those who abbreviate our rights; I want to let them know that I refuse to prevent them from enjoying this freedom that I have, that I will not give up the freedom that I have. That means a lot to me, just to sit here and I’ve talked to several agents who have passed, I see the fence with the wire at the top, there are troops all around the perimeter, ”he told The Hill, noting the increase in security precautions from the January 6 attack.
The Texas Democrat said he saw the impact of discrimination and did not want the country to return, arguing that the former president’s rhetoric has favored the division of the country.
“If you tolerate hatred, perpetuate it; anyone who tolerates hatred perpetuates it,” he said. “If people get in there, they don’t crawl under a rock again.”
Lawmakers continue to clash over how best to increase security after the Jan. 6 attack, and Congress is expected to continue to investigate how the building’s violation went.
Capitol police have requested that the National Guard’s presence on the Capitol campus be expanded for two more months amid security concerns.