Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is planning to show up in New York City on Tuesday to protest the recently unveiled criminal indictment of Donald Trump approved by a grand jury, and in comments on Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat in his first term, pledged arrests — of potentially anybody — should violence occur in the city.
Besides the Capitol riot, there have been plenty of further examples of the tendency of violence to emerge in association with demonstrations involving far-right individuals and interests like members of the Proud Boys, some of whom have, in fact, been charged connected to the riot.
“While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple,” Adams said at an apparent press conference. “Control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger. We are the safest large city in America because we respect the rule of law in New York City. And although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech, she stated she’s coming to town. While you’re in town, be on your best behavior. As always, we will not allow violence or vandalism of any kind. And if one is caught participating in any act of violence, they will be arrested and held accountable. No matter who you are.”
Greene already disavowed violence, but in so doing, she also provided somewhat of an excuse for it, asserting that such would be at least potentially connected to individuals masquerading as supporters of the former president. There remains no real-world evidence of actual infiltrators perpetrating such a thing in recent contexts like the Capitol riot to any absolutely remotely meaningful extent, but claiming such a defense could allow organizers like Greene to explain themselves in marching ahead, even if they don’t actively claim to support violence.
“Protesting is a constitutional right and I am going to NY on Tuesday to protest this unprecedented abuse of our justice system and election interference,” Greene said. “I also reject any attempt and anyone who dresses in MAGA but incites violence or commits violence while pretending to be one of us. You are not one of us, you are one of them. We will not live in fear and we will lawfully stand against tyranny and corruption while we show our support for President Trump.” Check out Adams’s comments below:
