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Tampa Residents React To Attack On The Capitol Before MLK Birthday
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Last Wednesday, Americans watched in horror as supporters of President Donald Trump breached the Capitol in the middle of the Presidential elec- tion certification. Senators and representatives were rushed to safe places while the dangerous and unruly crowd of domestic terrorists raged through the building, destroying property, and making violent threats against Democratic leaders and Vice President Mike Pence. Many were filmed making threats of bodily harm and at- tacking a policeman.
Considering next Monday’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, the Sentinel spoke to Tampa lead- ers and former politicians about their feelings on the actions of President Trump supporters.
Here are their comments:
ED NARAIN
“I find it ironic that we are still dealing with the same is- sues that Dr. King fought against. I think that Dr. King would be disgusted, but not sur- prised by the actions of those at the Capitol. There is always a vi- olent reaction to Black progress. Looking back, we saw what happened in Rosewood, Florida; Tulsa Oklahoma; and Ocoee, Florida, where violence was perpetuated against Black people.
“Right now, in light of the election of Joe Biden and Ka- mala Harris, white suprema-
cists are having a “white su- premacy temper tantrum.” Trump is the main culprit. He stoked the fire by saying that there were good people on both sides in the “Unite the Right” white supremacy rally in Char- lottesville. Yet when the George Floyd protests hap- pened, he advocated for 10-year sentences for Black Lives Mat- ter protestors. Last week, he told the insurrectionists that he “loved them.”
SELENA WARD
“This past year has been try- ing for us all. It was also a year that brought the “ugly” in both
local and national politics. I be- lieve that Dr. King would want us to go back to his teachings and principles. We have to work together to have any progress and move beyond this ugliness. We should be appreciating Dr. King’s legacy right now.”
KEITH HARRIS
“I feel extremely disappointed in the reaction from those in power, especially outside of pol- itics. As citizens, we rely on these people and agencies to protect and serve us. What we see happening from this resist-
ance is incredibly sad because it smacks in the face of what Dr. King taught. His teachings were revolutionary, yet all he fought for was for all people to enjoy the fruits of this country and the principles upon which this country was based.
“What we see in this resist- ance is a desperation to retain what they define as their free- dom and liberties. This led to this fiery rhetoric that led to vi- olence which is the opposite of what Dr. King stood for.”
Harris, the co-host of The Soul Purpose Show, also wants “Black folks to take back the ter- minology used by these groups. Words like patriot, liberty and freedom have been hijacked by these far-right groups. Black people have always been patri- otic, we fought for the right to serve in the military. We are the embodiment of patriotism while these groups are seeking to overturn elections.”
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 3-A