Rep. Smucker Calls for Unity

Our Constitution protects the right to peaceful assembly and for individuals to share their grievances with their government and law enforcement. I fully support the rights of those who feel attacked and disenfranchised to carryout nonviolent protests. However, the criminal actions we witnessed across the nation this past weekend, including the destruction of private property and the vandalizing of public monuments like the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial are wholly unacceptable. We cannot allow this necessary expression of our God-given rights to be abused by extremists who are taking advantage of the current civil unrest to loot and destroy our communities.

To be clear, George Floyd’s death was senselessly tragic, and the actions by the police were disgusting and disturbing. We must all come together – law enforcement and entire communities – to rebuild trust and our neighborhoods. I applaud the law enforcement officers across the country who selflessly serve their communities without incident and who have joined with protesters peacefully to show support for the victims and that such police brutality will not be condoned.