During remarks on the Senate floor Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke about Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) claiming without evidence that the suspect in the Minnesota shootings was a leftist.
00:00Second, I'd like to take a moment and step back and share a quick word on the events of this weekend, the good and the bad alike.
00:11On one hand, this weekend we witnessed one of the largest peaceful demonstrations in American history.
00:17Nearly five million Americans took to the streets and made their voices heard against the rise of authoritarianism on our shores.
00:26I was proud to be one of them.
00:30We gathered in the streets, we gathered in front of state capitals, we gathered on beaches and in national parks and in cities and towns, big and small alike.
00:41For the most part, the demonstrations were peaceful.
00:44In some cities, there were acts of unlawful disruption, and those who broke the law should be held accountable.
00:51I've always been clear that the right to free speech is fundamental but must be exercised peacefully.
00:56But again, for the most part, the millions who marched this weekend did so peacefully.
01:01In many cities, there wasn't a single incidence of lawbreaking.
01:06In fact, the demonstrations were much more than just simply peaceful.
01:11They're inspiring.
01:12After all the attacks we have seen this year against our institutions and our values,
01:18it is so comforting to know that the roots of democracy run deep in this country.
01:24And even though we may disagree fiercely, the marches remind us we can stand up for our country and our democracy while still keeping the peace.
01:32What happened in Minnesota, however, should be a warning.
01:38Political violence is not just on the rise in America.
01:41It's becoming all too normal.
01:43And it falls on all of us to stop it.
01:46When lawmakers are shot in their own home.
01:50When a governor's mansion is set ablaze.
01:53When the spouse of the Speaker of the House is nearly beat to death.
01:57When a violent mob storms the U.S. Capitol.
02:01And when a gunman tries to assassinate the President of the United States.
02:06It is not enough to just condemn these acts and move on.
02:10We need to recognize something needs to change.
02:14Condemning violence is only the first step.
02:16Necessary.
02:17But a first step.
02:19We must all work together to address violence's root causes.
02:22We must take a serious look at the toxic forces that are radicalizing too many Americans into embracing violence.
02:32Most of all, when violence strikes, the answer is for us to come together regardless of party.
02:39That's especially important for U.S. Senators.
02:43Sadly, we didn't see that this weekend.
02:46I wish I didn't have to say this.
02:48But I was deeply disappointed and sickened to see a member of this chamber use the tragedy in Minnesota to take cheap political shots at the other side on social media.
02:59And risk escalating a perilous moment.
03:03When the senior senator from Utah posted what the senior senator from Utah posted after the shooting was reckless and beneath the dignity of his office.
03:12For a senator to fan the flames of division with falsities while the killer was still on the loose is deeply irresponsible.
03:22He should take down his post immediately and apologize to the families of the victims.
03:27And this isn't even about politics.
03:30It's about simple human decency.
03:32Our divisions run deep, but we are still all Americans.
03:35We may disagree sometimes, many times, maybe most of the time.
03:39But we're still human beings.
03:40The victims this weekend, no matter what party they belong to, still leave behind kids who now will never speak to their parents ever again.
03:51So I say to my colleagues, now is the time to speak with moral clarity.
03:56Every single one of us must condemn political violence, no matter where it comes from, and to work together to eradicate its root causes.
04:04We cannot be silent because silence only serves to enable more violence.
04:09And in the meantime, I will continue to work with Leader Thune, with the Capitol Police, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and all my colleagues to ensure the safety of every senator and our staffs.
04:20This is a dark moment for America, but I believe firmly in my bones we will endure.
