Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz Responds to the Events Occurring Across Southern California

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) released the following statement responding to the events occuring across Southern California:

"The events occurring across Southern California over the last few days have made me deeply concerned about the future of American democracy. Democracy requires that both the government and the people accept the rule of law and the Constitution. Sadly, that is not happening now.

"Democracy is threatened when the President violates the Constitution, commandeers the California National Guard without the permission of the Governor, and deploys the Marines or other military against the people.

"Democracy is threatened when the few vandals and anarchists disrupt the many peaceful protests to destroy property.

"Democracy is threatened when the government violates the First Amendment and the right to peaceful protest, strips immigrants of due process, and detains elected officials who are exercising their right to oversight.

"And Democracy is threatened when people violently attack law enforcement officials who are trying to keep the peace.

"Violence - whether against peaceful protesters, law enforcement officials, immigrant families, personal property, government buildings, or the Constitution - is wrong, and it's a threat to American democracy. It must stop now.

"The President has an obligation to preserve and protect the Constitution and the rule of law. Donald Trump is failing massively in that regard. Americans have a responsibility to respect the law. The agitators who are destroying property are failing massively in that regard. Both need to face the consequences for their actions.

"I encourage people to continue exercising their right to free speech and peacefully protest without violence. You represent the best of Democracy."

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