Video: Blumenthal on the Senate Floor After Testimony from Americans Brutalized by DHS: These Stories are a National Call to Action

[WASHINGTON, DC] - In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), spoke on the Senate Floor today to discuss the testimony he received yesterday at a bicameral public forum on the violent tactics and disproportionate use of force by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In his remarks, Blumenthal highlighted the courage of the witnesses in coming forward to share their personal experiences with DHS agents' brutality.

"What struck me is the absolutely stark contrast: the deep humanity of these Americans, their bravery and courage in coming forward with their stories, and the humanity that they showed us; as opposed to the inhumanity of the criminal, yes, criminal action, of these ICE and CBP agents, physically assaulting them, attempting to kill them, and, in fact, murdering Renee Good and Alex Pretti," Blumenthal said.

"The courage of these witnesses was a profile in bravery and in eloquence. They were the voices and faces of those countless Americans who have suffered at the hands of their own government. Their stories are about brutality, lawlessness, and inhumanity. Their stories span the nation," Blumenthal said.

"And these stories are a national call to action."

The forum featured testimony from Brent and Luke Ganger, brothers of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, and Antonio Romanucci, the attorney representing their family; Marimar Martinez, Aliya Rahman, and Martin Daniel Rascon, all of whom were violently assaulted by DHS agents; and Seth Stoughton, a former police officer and Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Yesterday's event is the second public forum Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, have hosted as part of their ongoing inquiry into the lawless and abusive tactics used by federal immigration agents. In December, Blumenthal and Garcia received testimony from five U.S. citizens who were assaulted, detained, and denied their constitutional rights by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Video of Blumenthal's remarks on the Senate Floor is available here.

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1. Immigration