Rep Jeff Van Drew Calls For Fencing To Be Removed Despite Threats To Capitol
Two weeks after the Congressman introduced a bill to remove fencing surrounding the Capitol, a police officer has been killed after a car rammed a police barricade.
By David Todd McCarty | Friday, April 2, 2021
Washington, D.C. – In a March 19, 2021 press release, Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ-R), introduced the Fencing Removal and Ending Encampment (FREE) Resolution that asked Congress to remove the razor wiring installed around the Capitol campus and recall the National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C.
“The FREE resolution calls for an immediate end to the occupation of our nation’s Capitol grounds, and the removal of the barricades and razor wire surrounding federal government buildings,” read the press release.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew issued the following statement at that time:
“The U.S. Capitol is a standing testament to the freedom and democracy we uniquely enjoy as Americans. By putting armed guardsmen and razor wire between our citizens and the heart of our government we are, in effect, separating America from Americans. The U.S. Capitol Police have already stated there are no credible threats to Congress or the Capitol Complex that warrants this unnecessary show of force. It is time to remove the fencing and restore access for the American people. Anything less is unacceptable.”
Hours ago, a lone attacker drove his car into a police barricade, then ran at officers wielding a knife. Two officers were injured and one died from his injuries. The driver was shot in the attack and later died.
In the aftermath, Congressman Van Drew put out a second statement saying, “The USCP put their lives on the line every single day in defense of this nation and while we still do not have all of our questions answered, these senseless acts of violence have no place in our society.”
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