Statements from Capital Region on Trump backers storming the U.S. Capitol

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

People run in the halls as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Statements from Capital Region on Trump backers storming the U.S. Capitol.

Statements:

Duanesburg schools Superintendent James Niedermeier
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan
New York Attorney General Letitia James
Denise Murphy McGraw, Chairwoman of Upstate for Biden-Harris

Duanesburg schools Superintendent James Niedermeier:

“I am extremely saddened by what is occurring in the Capitol. In an already chaotic time, kids (and grown-ups) don’t need any more trauma. I urge parents to talk to their kids and tell them that this is not what it means to be an American,” Niedermeier wrote at 4:15 p.m.

I am extremely saddened by what is occurring in the Capitol. In an already chaotic time, kids (and grown-ups) don’t need any more trauma. I urge parents to talk to their kids and tell them that this is not what it means to be an American.

— James Niedermeier (@niedertech) January 6, 2021

GAZETTE COVERAGE

Ensure access to everything we do, today and every day, check out our subscribe page at DailyGazette.com/Subscribe

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, 4:43 p.m.:

ALBANY, NY – Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan released the following statement in response to the ongoing storming of the United States Capitol:

“I condemn the ongoing illegal, indefensible and treasonous attack on the country I love. We are witnessing the unthinkable today as Trump supporters storm our beloved US Capitol and obstruct the business of the people. Rather than debating and voting, our Congress Members have been forced to flee for their safety. This insurrection must end immediately.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James

“The coup attempt initiated by outgoing President Trump has been despicable. Today, it became violent. If blood is shed, it will be on his hands. These actions, fueled by lies and wild conspiracy theories espoused by President Trump, must be unequivocally condemned by every corner of our society.

“Ultimately, I am confident the rule of law will prevail. Joe Biden, our duly elected president, will assume office on January 20th and history will remember this as a sad but unsuccessful attempt to destroy our democratic republic.”
Denise Murphy McGraw, Chairwoman of Upstate for Biden-Harris and Chairwoman of Niskayuna Democratic Committee:

“As an American, I am shocked and saddened to see the images from the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. As a mother of a child who attends a college in our nation’s capitol, I am terrified. As an elected official, it’s all too easy for me to understand how we got here.

Those on social media who are inciting this chaos by equating it to the Black Lives Matter movement or the Women’s Marches are dangerous. It is not. These people are not protestors.

To quote President-Elect Joe Biden, “President Trump, step up.”

I call on other Republican leaders to step up too. The actions in DC must be denounced and those unlawfully occupying the Capitol need to be urged to stand down now. “