McConnell Addresses Violent Demonstrations: ‘You Do Not Advance Justice by Inflicting Injustice’

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is denouncing violent demonstrations that took place over the weekend.

“Free speech and peaceful protests are essential American liberties. Looting, rioting, assault, and arson are violent crimes that have no place, no place whatsoever in our society,” McConnell said during a floor speech on Monday.

He continued:

“It is not a display of courageous citizenship to smash and destroy small businesses that had just barely hung on through the pandemic. It is not an act of principled protest to grab expensive merchandise or set fire to a church. It does not advance freedom or justice to vandalize the World War II memorial that stands for those bled and died for exactly those values. You do not advance peace by committing assault. You do not advance justice by inflicting injustice upon your neighbor. You do not promote the rule of law through anarchy.”

“There’s no Constitutional right to commit a violent crime or terrorize a community, period. This cannot continue. It’s already gone on for entirely too long ” McConnell added.

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McConnell continued to urge state and local governments to crack down on the rioting and violent demonstrations. But, he added, “If state and local leaders cannot, or will not, secure the peace and protect citizens and their property, I hope the federal government is ready to stand in the breach.”

McConnell began his address by demanding the truth and “swift justice” in the deaths George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery