“I do so dearly believe that no half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.”
What we do next defines us more than this horrible act of violence and tragedy.
Today began with the cold-blooded assassination of Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in their home by a coward dressed up as a police officer leaving two children without either parent. Another couple, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, are fighting for their lives.
My fellow Americans, peace is our only way forward.
At this moment may we pause and hold this family, their extended family, and their friends in a collective embrace. No doubt other lawmakers around our country are terrified and with good reason. Everyone is terrified. My hope is that those who protest today will do so peacefully and calmly. My hope is that we will all condemn political violence, hate speech, name calling—all of it. It has no place in our public square, no place in our culture. Condemn it in every way. My hope is that today we will all stop and realize that the tempers, the rage, the anger, the vitriol—it’s all brought us to this moment. This moment must end. This moment cannot go on. No one is safe in this moment. May we hold these families close. May we hold our own families close.