By Stephen Kopko
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
WASHINGTON D.C., United States-The recently passed health care reform bill has been a cause of contention and disagreement for a great period of time. This tension rose to new heights in the days leading up to the vote. Opponents protesting the bill used violent and abusive language while they engaged in civil protests on Capitol Hill. This language was directed at minority members of Congress.
While they were walking into the House of Representatives for a procedural vote on the health care reform bill, African American Congressmen were heckled and called racial slurs by some protestors. Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Andre Carson were called racial epithets as the proceeded to the House Chamber for the vote. Congressman Lewis is a prominent civil rights leader who demonstrated against the segregationist policies of the 1960’s with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Congressman Lewis previously had his skull fractured during the civil rights struggle during the crossing of the Pettus Bridge in Alabama in 1965. After being called the racial slurs, Congressman Lewis stated, “I haven’t heard anything like this in 40, 45 years.”
Another African American Congressman faced hateful speech and actions as he proceeded to the health care vote. Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver was spat on by a protestor as he walked to the Capitol. The protestor was arrested by Capitol Police but Congressman Cleaver did not press charges. In a statement issued by his office, the Congressman stated that the protests were “not the worst assault he has endured in his years fighting for equal rights for all Americans.” Nevertheless, the Congressman stated that he was disappointed in the behavior of certain protestors.
Some protestors also directed their attacks at Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. As Congressman Frank walked between the House office buildings he was called anti-gay slurs. Congressman Frank is one of the few openly homosexual members of Congress.
Democratic and Republican leaders condemned the abusive language and actions of the protestors. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called the actions of those protestors “despicable” and stated; “America always has room for open and spirited debate, and the hateful actions of some should not cast doubt on the good motives of the majority, on both sides of this arguments.” House Minority Leader John Boehner called the language and actions “reprehensible.”
For more information, please see:
MSNBC-Health bill opponents heckle top Dems-22 March 2010
FOX News-Tea Party Leader, GOP Condemn Racial Slurs Hurled at Black Lawmakers-21 March 2010
NY Times-Spitting and Slurs Directed at Lawmakers-20 March 2010
