COLOMBIA – With the growing threat of armed protests in capitals across the country, South Carolina lawmakers believe that adequate security measures are in place to protect not only themselves but also visitors to the state government’s nerve center.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said that while demonstrations and rallies at the Statehouse are welcome, anyone who becomes violent should be treated as criminal behavior after the January 6 US Capitol riot.
This week, the FBI informed the State Law Enforcement Division about possible armed encounters between January 16 and 20, when President-elect Joe Biden is installed.
“While we respect the rights of everyone in the First Amendment to be heard and protest, the limit was crossed last week, when it became violent. We will not tolerate this, ”Senate minority leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, told reporters on Tuesday. “We are here to do the business of the people of South Carolina, we are looking forward to it, we invite people to use the Statehouse grounds as they did in the past for peaceful protests, but I underline the word ‘peaceful. ‘”
Authorities said on Monday that there were no credible threats of violence, but lawmakers in Palmetto state began work on the first day of the 2021 legislative session alongside an intensified police presence.
Several officials from SLED and the state’s Department of Natural Resources, who do not normally patrol the Statehouse on legislative days, were visible through the building on the first day of the 2021 session on Tuesday.
There were simultaneous demonstrations outside in the morning: one calling for the removal of a statue in honor of former US governor and senator Benjamin Tillman, an avowed white supremacist, and another calling on lawmakers to reject mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. Both attracted small crowds and were peaceful.
The capital’s grounds have been widely used in recent months for assemblies of people from across the political spectrum, including Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd and SC We The People, a religious-based organization that supports President Donald Trump and religious freedom.
On the same day, the United States Capitol was taken over by protesters, State Representative Micah Caskey, a West Columbia Republican, tweeted about two Republican presidential candidates who were working to overturn the 2020 White House dispute: “When ( Sens.) Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley came here in 2024 asking for my help, they can kiss my ass. “
Caskey said on Tuesday that he blamed Trump for not “lowering the temperature” when he could, but has condemned protesters who break the law.
“If people think that violence is the mechanism by which they should try to repair their political complaints, whatever the purpose, violence is not the answer,” said Caskey. “They make the cause they are trying to advance worse.”
State Sen. Tom Davis, a Republican from Beaufort, said he was “seasick” with images of the US Capitol being invaded by a violent crowd. Although he was unaware of any threats against the South Carolina legislature, Davis said that increased security made him feel more secure. He also had strong words to designate anyone committed to damage to property or others in the name of a cause.
“This symbol, the Capitol, is emblematic of everything we defend as a country and is a sacred place. Seeing that crowd desecrate that made me physically sick, ”he said. “It wasn’t people exercising their First Amendment right. It was not a gathering of patriots. All Americans should be angry to see this happen. “
There was a moment of drama in the SC Senate plenary on Tuesday that left a legislator worried that the conversation about unity is not being followed up by action.
State Senator Darrell Jackson, a Hopkins Democrat, said he was frustrated that a resolution he tried to put forward in plenary on Monday congratulating Biden and his running mate, American Senator Kamala Harris of California, was blocked by Spartanburg Republican Shane Martin.
Such a move, Jackson said, only adds to the discord that has been building in the months since Trump was defeated.
“I don’t think it’s useful, because what it says to ordinary people is even in the highest divisions in the state, the Senate, they still hold grudges and it sends the wrong message,” said Jackson.
Martin did not respond to a request for comment.
Follow Adam Benson on Twitter @ AdamNewshound12.