Congressman Gonzalez Statement on Trump’s Use of Force on Peaceful Protestors

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement following the president's authorization of theuse of force against peaceful protestors and threats to deploy the military across the United States:

"While I condemn any violence used in protest, President Trump's response to America's warranted anger and mourning is a stain upon the memory of our nation. By labeling peaceful protestors and Black Americans as "thugs", the president glorifies and incites violence. By pitting Americans against one another and lashing out at those who disagree with him, he continues to choose division over unity. I am ashamed and I will not accept this.

The very place one should be allowed to protest, and the most constitutionally protected place to protest is on public properties like the White House. Authorizing the use of force against his fellow Americans and signaling that he will invoke the Insurrection Act to ‘dominate' peaceful protestors is reflective of a dictatorship not a democracy. When governments around the world use military force to curtail peaceful demonstrations, the U.S. Government strongly condemns such actions and stands in solidarity with those expressing their right to protest. Where is that America today?

As our country grieves for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, the president has an opportunity to deescalate this situation and work with Congress to bring about meaningful, systemic reform to our institutions. I urge the president to heed these urgent calls to action and calm our nation."