State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) issued the following statement in response to the horrific assassination attempt on former President Trump and the resulting deaths and injuries of innocent American citizens exercising their fundamental First Amendment right to political expression and assembly.
“Assassination is now the answer? God Help Us All!
“Civility – it’s a lost concept in today’s society with a culture more focused on pointing out our differences and trying to separate us. However, civility is exactly what we need today more than ever.
“A community, a society, a nation is made up of different individuals, customs, religions, and beliefs, all congealing together in a collaborative fashion. It’s about each individual agreeing to give up on having everything one wants in order to have most of what one needs.
“Our common goals and expectations in America used to revolve around each citizen having the opportunity to live in a safe, peaceful, and respectful community – one in which certain behaviors were right and others were wrong. Certain language was right and hyperbolic rhetoric was wrong. At least that is what I was taught and what I still believe today.
“You can’t always get what you want, but we can get what we all need. Sound familiar? The objectives and founding principles of this country have always been to work together with people you don’t completely agree with and come to some basic common understanding of how to move forward together. This allows all of us to create and live in the most fair and free civilized society known yet to man.
“Activists and protesters who remain peaceful and respectful of their fellow citizens will always have a place in our society. This is in stark contrast to the civil agitators who American citizens have had to put up with in recent years, as law enforcement has been told by our leaders to stand down. People who intentionally threaten and violate others’ rights – including stopping people from getting to work or a hospital; or destroying art, statues, and monuments; or shutting down colleges, or closing government assemblies cannot be allowed to happen. This is unacceptable, anti-social, lawless behavior.
“To be clear – the right to protest is sacrosanct and should continue to be protected, but not at the expense of the freedoms of the rest of us out here just trying to live our lives – going to work, raising our kids, coaching T- ball, or heading to church. Protest along the highways if you must, but not on them. Protest at the museum, standing in front of the building in a suitable public place, but not inside close to the artwork. Protest in your State Capitols, but don’t impede the official processes inside.
“Learn to speak accurately, truthfully and don’t incite violence. We used to teach our children these valuable lessons, but obviously, not anymore. We have seen violent demonstrations at Columbia University, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Wisconsin State Capitol, the Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol and even the homes of SCOTUS members, just to name a few. And after the escalation culminating in Saturday’s assassination attempt, it is more important than ever to call out those who are inciting violence through their hateful and vile rhetoric. God bless those who were killed and injured just trying to assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights.
“Does endless civil unrest sell? When you have nothing else to offer, maybe it does. But it is NOT right. Maybe being polite, listening to others, and acting courteous and civil might actually move us out of this failing funk. Let’s expect a little civility and let’s hold those who fanned the flames of this fire accountable for their roles in getting our country into the situation where we find ourselves today. You can’t assassinate ideas.
“It is time we all turned back to the reasonable approach. America needs leaders in politics, media, education and business with an abundance of sense that is more common. And we need it soon!”