Lisa Hernandez Authors Resolution Pushing Back Against Against Federally Sanctioned Violence in IL Communities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Taking to the House Floor earlier today, state Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’; Hernandez, D-Cicero, condemned growing political violence against public figures and called for equal outrage for federally-sanctioned violence by immigration officials.

“Unacceptable acts of violence have scarred our democratic process,” Hernandez said. “The murder of elected officials, a conservative activist and innocent people at the Tree of Life Synagogue, at the Emanuel AME Church, at a Wal-Mart in El Paso, and in so many other places cannot go unrecognized. But, it would be a hollow gesture to call out these instances of political violence while communities across Illinois are subject to violence instigated by our own government. I rose to ask my colleagues that we stand together again, as we’ve stood together in the past, and condemn political violence in all forms—whether it comes from a gunman radicalized by the darkest corners of the internet or masked federal agents.”

Hernandez authored House Resolution 508, which condemns political violence across the political spectrum and highlights how dark corners of the Internet have fueled apocalyptic
visions and rhetoric of perpetrators. Furthermore, her resolution illuminates the politically-motivated violence perpetrated by President Trump as he raids and ransacks communities across Illinois, rightly connecting the fueling of divisive and dangerous rhetoric by the president to real life consequences.

“You can’t condemn political violence on a campus in Utah and not see that same violence as people being dragged out of their homes and thrown into detention centers in broad daylight.

“And, you can’t rightly condemn the assassinations of Minnesota elected officials and not feel righteous fury at reports of naked children being zip-tyed in the middle of the night by masked and armed agents of the federal government.

“When we refuse to universally denounce repeated attacks on calm, thoughtful political discourse, we cannot be surprised when more people are hurt or killed as a result. I authored today’s resolution, because I personally cannot, and will not, stand by when my community – and so many like it – are suffering under racially motivated raids and federally-sanctioned violence
against those who cannot fight back.”