Democrats Refuse to Condemn Antifa Violence at Senate Hearing
Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono walks out when challenged by Ted Cruz
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Democrats refused to condemn ongoing Antifa violence during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Tuesday.
The Senate meeting ended abruptly when ranking member Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) stormed out of the hearing.
The Democratic senator announced she could no longer listen to Chairman Ted Cruz's (R-TX) hearing on the threat of Antifa-led violence in America.
Before she left, Cruz offered Hirono the opportunity to condemn the actions of Antifa.
She refused, however, choosing to walk out, instead.
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The Subcommittee on the Constitution's hearing was titled, "The Right of the People Peaceably to Assemble: Protecting Speech by Stopping Anarchist Violence."
The hearing centered on the issue of freedom of speech, and the violence surrounding recent Black Lives Matter protests, particularly the riots that have ravaged Portland, Oregon, for the last two months.
During his opening remarks, Sen. Cruz discussed the importance of peaceable assembly under the Constitution.
He also highlighted how rioters hijacked the George Floyd protests, leading to violence and attacks on police and innocent civilians.
Cruz made a point earlier in the hearing of condemning violent right-wing extremist groups by name, then challenged Democrats to condemn Antifa, according to Breitbart.
Antifa has been involved in some of the violence that has accompanied many Black Lives Matter demonstrations nationwide.
Hirono claimed that Black Lives Matter was standing for freedom of speech, and accused Cruz of not listening to her.
"We should all join hands in denouncing," she said.
"Whatever words you want to use about violent extremism of all stripes, and I think we can all agree on that.”
"I hope this is the end of this hearing, Mr. Chairman, and that we don’t have to listen to any more of your rhetorical speeches," she concluded.
"Thank you very much. I’m leaving.”
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As she left, Cruz replied: “Well, I appreciate the — as always — kind and uplifting words of Senator Hirono, and I would also note that throughout her remarks she still did not say a negative word about Antifa, nor has any Democrat here.”
Hirono turned to respond, and Cruz said: “You’re welcome to say something negative about Antifa, right now.”
She replied: “I think that I’ve covered the subject quite well.”
WATCH:
TENSE MOMENT: Sen. Mazie Hirono rips Sen. Ted Cruz before leaving hearing: "You aren't listening. So I hope this is the end of this hearing, Mr. Chairman, and that we don't have to listen to any more of your rhetorical speeches. Thank you very much. I'm leaving." pic.twitter.com/Vtz07B6Mgj
— The Hill (@thehill) August 4, 2020
Others present at the hearing included Post Millenial journalist Andy Ngô, who talked about the violence of Antifa and its anti-American ideology; and George Washington University Law School Professor Jonathan Turley, who talked about the left’s suppression of political dissent.
“If you go to campuses today, you will find more advocates for limiting speech than protecting it,” Turley said.
