Will Mike Garcia Stand with Trump or the Clergy and Peaceful Protesters He Tear-Gassed?
Bishop Budde: “He did not pray… he sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the church yard. I am outraged”
Revered Robert W Fisher: “We want St. John’s to be a space for grace, as a place where you can breathe. Being used as a prop, it really takes away from what we’re trying to do.”
NYT: Clergy Of Church Used As A Photo Op Have Denounced Trump’s Treatment Of Peaceful Protesters
Following President Trump’s decision to use tear gas and rubber bullets to clear out peaceful protestors to stage a photo op at St. John’s Church, Congressman Mike Garcia has an obligation to break his silence and state whether he stands with President Trump’s use of military force on American citizens, or with the clergy denouncing his tear gassing of peaceful protesters advocating for an end to police violence against Black people in pursuit of a photo op.
The Hill: Priest among those police cleared from St. John’s Church patio for Trump visit
The Rev. Gini Gerbasi said in a Facebook post that she, along with the church’s seminarian, were forcibly removed from the patio less than an hour before Trump arrived to take pictures in front of St. John’s while holding a Bible. The patio clearing coincided with the use of tear gas to empty Lafayette Square outside of the White House to allow the president to travel on foot to the church. […] the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, an Episcopal bishop, told The Washington Post Monday that she was “outraged” to learn the president was speaking in front of the church without being notified ahead of time.
DCCC Spokesperson Andy Orellana released the following statement:
“The President used tear gas on American citizens so that he could pose for a photo op in front of a church. Now the church’s leaders have spoken out against the President’s violent reaction. It’s time Congressman Garcia find the backbone to state clearly whether he stands with President Trump or the clergy denouncing his tear gassing of American citizens protesting police violence against Black Americans.”
###