Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the latest threat of violence against a public figure:
We strongly condemn the extremist, racially charged threats of violence against Rep. Pramila Jayapal at her home in West Seattle this past weekend. We are glad she is safe. Words have consequences, and our labor movement has zero tolerance for threatening language or hate crimes.
Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, but the escalating acts of intimidation against public figures we have seen as of late are unacceptable. As the 2022 midterm election cycle heats up, we must be vigilant in ensuring that hate speech meant to fire up a base is called out immediately. We know that threatening political rhetoric has the power to incite those with violent tendencies to use hate speech as an invitation for violence. We can disagree with public figures, but we cannot allow fear or intimidation to have any place in our democratic process.
Contact: Carolyn Bobb, 202-637-5018