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In an emotional testimony on Thursday, US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led her fellow Democrats in remembrance of their traumatic experiences in the deadly Capitol riots on January 6.
Speaking on the floor of the House, she doubled calls for Republican politicians, including their own colleagues, to be held responsible for the attack.
“Less than 29 days later, with little or no responsibility for the bloodshed and trauma of the 6th, some are already demanding that we continue, or worse, try to minimize, discredit or belittle the survivors’ accounts.”
Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota said he feared for their safety that day, he shouted for his colleagues to follow him to the Republican side of the room.
“For I felt that the insurrectionists who are trying to break down the doors right here would save us if they simply mistook us for Republicans. But in moments, I recognized that mixing was not an option available to my colored colleagues. I’m here tonight to tell my brothers and sisters in Congress and across our country, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Because I never understood, really understood, what privilege really means. “
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, from Michigan, who is a Muslim, told how the disturbances reminded her of the death threats she received on her first day as a congressman.
“I haven’t even taken the oath yet and someone wanted me dead for just existing. More came later, uglier, more violent, one celebrating the New Zealand massacre in writing and hoping that more would come, another mentioning my dear son, Adam. Mention it by name. Each one paralyzed me, every time … And that is why I ask my colleagues to please take seriously what happened on January 6th. This will lead to more deaths and we can do better. We must do better. “
No Republicans participated in Thursday’s testimony, which occurred shortly after the House voted to remove controversial lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene from two high-profile committees.
Greene, a Republican, was criticized for her story of fiery comments, including support for violence against Democrats.
Video transcription
– In an emotional testimony on Thursday, United States representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led her fellow Democrats, recalling their traumatic experiences in the Capitol’s deadly riots on January 6. be held responsible for the attack.
ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: Less than 29 days later, with little or no responsibility for the bloodshed and trauma of the 6th, some are already demanding that we move on, or worse, trying to minimize, discredit or belittle the survivors’ accounts.
– Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota said, fearing for their safety that day, that he shouted for his colleagues to follow him to the Republican side of the room.
DEAN PHILLIPS: For I felt that the rebels who were trying to break down the doors right here would spare us if they simply confused us with Republicans. But in a few moments, I recognized that mixing was not an option available to my black colleagues. So I’m here tonight to tell my brothers and sisters in Congress and across our country, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. For I had never understood, really understood, what privilege really means.
– Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, from Michigan, who is a Muslim, told how the disturbances reminded her of the death threats she received on her first day as a congressman.
RASHIDA TLAIB: I didn’t even take the oath yet when someone wanted me dead for just existing. More came later, uglier, more violent. One celebrating and writing, the New Zealand massacre, and hoping that more would happen. Another mentioning my dear son, Adam.
(Crying) So, I ask my colleagues to please take seriously what happened on January 6. This will lead to more deaths. And we can do better. We must do better.
– No Republicans participated in Thursday’s testimony, which occurred shortly after the House voted to remove controversial lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene from two high-profile committees. Greene, a Republican, has been criticized for her story of fiery comments, including support for violence against Democrats.