We received the following statement from Congressman Emanuel Cleaver’s (D-MO) office:
For many of the members of the CBC, like John Lewis and Emanuel Cleaver who worked in the civil rights movement, and for Mr. Frank who has struggled in the cause of equality, this is not the first time they have been spit on during turbulent times.
This afternoon, the Congressman was walking into the Capitol to vote, when one protester spat on him. The Congressman would like to thank the US Capitol Police officer who quickly escorted the others Members and him into the Capitol, and defused the tense situation with professionalism and care. After all the Members were safe, a full report was taken and the matter was handled by the US Capitol Police. The man who spat on the Congressman was arrested, but the Congressman has chosen not to press charges. He has left the matter with the Capitol Police.
This is not the first time the Congressman has been called the “n” word and certainly not the worst assault he has endured in his years fighting for equal rights for all Americans. That being said, he is disappointed that in the 21st century our national discourse has devolved to the point of name calling and spitting. He looks forward to taking a historic vote on health care reform legislation tomorrow, for the residents of the Fifth District of Missouri and for all Americans. He believes deeply that tomorrow’s vote is, in fact, a vote for equality and to secure health care as a right for all. Our nation has a history of struggling each time we expand rights. Today’s protests are no different, but the Congressman believes this is worth fighting for.
Other media reports:
Tea Party Protests: ‘Ni**er,’ ‘Fa**ot’ Shouted At Members Of Congress
…in August applies here:
because I thought he stated the obvious so succinctly in regard to the Tea Partiers:
He sees the Tea Partiers as exemplars of an authoritarian tendency:
I agree with you that these crazies are being treated far too respectfully by the media and by our polticians. They are, as I think Blue Girl remarked earlier, the same crazies who used to retreat into the John Birch Party and various offshoots of the Klan, and who were objects of derision elsewhere – even by “respectable” conservatives. Unfortunately, they are are now emboldened by the kids-glove treatment the media is giving them and by the fact that they have managed to bring the entire Republican party to heel.
…making the rounds through right wingnuttia Twitter posts – retweeted in extremis:
…has a first hand account from a staffer:
Some people should not be let out of their parents’ basement.
apparently contributed to the hysteria that led to someone spitting on Cleaver: