House Democrat sits on the steps of the Capitol to protest extremist threat

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Rep. Al GreenAlexander (Al) N. GreenBiden pledges support for Texas amid winter storm recovery Biden focuses on winter storm with Texas trip LIVE COVERAGE: Senate opens Trump’s second impeachment trial MORE (D-Texas) is sending a message to QAnon and right-wing extremist threats by sitting on the steps of the Capitol on Thursday, the date authorities warned militia groups might be planning a new breakthrough of the building.

“I want to make a statement to let people know, those who would threaten those of us who cherish this freedom that we have here, that we refuse to allow those threats to nullify our freedom,” he told The Hill.

Capitol Police and the FBI have warned that militia groups that took part in the deadly uprising at the Capitol on January 6 – when a group of Trump supporters tried to disrupt the Electoral College vote certification – had planned a second attack on March 4.

Some conspiracy theorists have spread the idea that the former President TrumpDonald Trump House Approves Voting and Elections Bill DEA Puts Agent Outside Capitol During Riot on Leave Georgia Government Kemp Says He Would “ Absolutely ” Support Trump as a 2024 Nominee MORE will be inaugurated on that date, despite the loss of the presidential election in November.

Green’s decision to protest peacefully comes after Congress canceled the votes on Thursday. House Democrats hastened the passing of a police reform bill Wednesday night over the news of credible threats.

“I love my country and believe that freedom is not free,” he tweeted. Others have made great sacrifices for the freedoms I enjoy. I refuse to surrender our country’s Capitol to those who would shorten my freedom. Therefore, as a matter of personal principle, I will be at the Capitol complex today.

Green said he felt he should take a stand against the protesters to send a message that their antics would not disrupt democracy, adding that people have lost their lives fighting for freedom in America and that it should be protected.

“I want to send a message to those who would violate our rights – I want to let them know that I refuse to allow them to prevent me from enjoying this freedom that I have, that I will not give up the freedom that I have . This means a lot to me, just to sit here and I spoke to several agents who passed by, I see the barbed wire fence at the top, there are troops around the perimeter, ”he told The Hill, noting the increase in security measures since the attack on January 6.

The Texas Democrat said he has seen the impact of discrimination and does not want the country to back down, arguing that the former president’s rhetoric has widened the rift in the country.

“If you tolerate hate, you keep it going – anyone who tolerates hate keeps it going,” he said. “If people get into it, it won’t crawl back under a rock.”

Lawmakers continue to grapple with how best to increase security in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack, and Congress is expected to continue to investigate how the breach in the building happened.

Capitol Police have asked for the National Guard’s presence on the Capitol campus to be extended for an additional two months due to ongoing security concerns.

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