FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
March 5, 2012
VIRGINIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS SPEAKS OUT ON CAPITOL SQUARE ARRESTS
A Statement By Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Del. Patrick Hope and Sen. Adam Ebbin
Richmond – The Virginia Progressive Caucus is deeply disturbed that the rights of citizens to assemble and petition their government were interrupted and denied on Saturday, March 3.
Such an excessive display of force—police in full riot gear with glass shields, automatic weapons, and dogs—harkens back to darker days. We find this overreaction deeply disturbing.
Women who are speaking out in favor of their right to choose do not deserve to be intimidated and hauled away.
Virginians deserve to know under what circumstances peaceful demonstrators are to be faced with such frightening actions.
We call on Governor McDonnell and his administration to fully review the policies that led to Saturday's events and ensure that they never happen again.
###
