According to Ben Bergmann over at Think Progress, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA), president of the freshman Democratic class, has said that "at least one freshman Democrat" has already been "physically
assaulted at a local event" by right-wing activists showing up at town meetings. Connolly reportedly has warned that things are now at a "dangerous level".
Update: Mr. Bergmann referenced a Roll Call article. I am enquiring of Congressman Connolly's office for specifics, as the Roll Call article appears not to provide details such as the identity of the Congressman who allegedly was assaulted.
Commenter urbinato, below, references a death threat phoned into the DC office of Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC). There have apparently also been calls to the Congressman's Raleigh office that have caused some concern.
Ben Bergmann, over at Think Progress, reports that the president of the Democratic freshman class in the House of Representatives, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA), has said that at least one class member has been physically assaulted by right-wingnuts showing up at a meeting for constituents.
Representative Connolly warns that the organized opposition has taken things to a "dangerous level."
It is time for the grown-ups who are left in the GOP to repudiate such tactics and to put all Republican Congressman and Senators in the crucible.. either they stand up and denounce thuggery, or they get booted out of the party.
Congressman and Senators who organize such events are well advised to make suitable arrangements with local police. If the police refuse to provide an adequate presence at such meetings, perhaps local labor unions and other progressive groups can provide people to escort officials as they arrive at and leave such events... sort of like the escorts who help women run the anti-choice emotional blockades in front of family-planning clinics and OB-GYN offices.
Violence cannot be tolerated. We cannot survive as a civil, democratic society if mob rule is allowed to take even the slightest root.
Where are you on this, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, etc., etc.????
=====
Update:
Still no particulars on the wire concerning the reported assault, but see this from Cherry Creek News:
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, has endorsed the strategy of staged protests, telling Politico the days of civil town halls are now "over." In a memo to House Republicans, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) promised "anger" during the August recess: "Americans' anger will be on full display in the weeks ahead as Members of Congress leave Washington and travel the nation listening to the voices of their constituents."
TOWN HALLS GONE WILD: In one incident of right-wing outrage, protesters surrounded Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY), forcing police to escort him to his car. In another, anti-health care protesters hung up an effigy of Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) outside his district office in Salisbury, MD. The city was the site of a recent symposium on the dangers of "government-run health care," sponsored by a group called "Patients First," a project of AFP. Two nights ago, Reps. Steve Kagen (D-WI) and Steve Driehaus (D-OH) had to face down angry mobs. Kagen, whose town hall was targeted by the Wisconsin chapter of AFP, was "repeatedly disrupted" by "incomprehensible" shrieks and shouts from conservatives. And just last night, Fox's local Houston affiliate reported that at a rowdy town hall hosted by Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), some attendees admitted "they don't live in the district." Still, Democrats are vowing not to let the disruptions stop health care reform. "I hope my colleagues won't fall for a sucker-punch like this," Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) told The Progress Report. "These health insurance companies and people like them are trying to load these town halls for visual impact on television." Doggett agreed. After his town hall was ambushed he declared, "I am more committed than ever to win approval of legislation to offer more individual choice to access affordable health care. An effective public plan is essential to achieve that goal." And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promised Democrats wouldn't waiver: "In spite of the loud, shrill voices trying to interrupt town hall meetings and just throw a monkey wrench into everything, we're going to continue to be positive and work hard."
I must admit that I find Senator Reid's statement milquetoastish. I wish he would get some fire in the belly, or if he can't, I wish the Democrats in the Senate would select a new leader... someone with some gumption.
====
Second Update:
Commenter urbinato, below, references a death threat phoned into the DC office of Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC). There have apparently also been calls to the Congressman's Raleigh office that have caused some concern.
====
Third Update:
I have just spoken to a staffer in Congressman Connolly's D.C. office. I referenced the article at Roll Call and this diary. I asked for particulars as to which freshman Democrat was allegedly assaulted, where the alleged assault took place, and whether there was a police report. The staffer said that he would look into the matter and get back to me.
====
Fourth Update:
I have not yet heard back from Congressman Connolly's D.C. office.