By Matthew Reichbach
Over the weekend, the Republican Party of New Mexico said their headquarters in Albuquerque was set on fire and vandalized with spray paint.
The party said it happened early Sunday morning and that in addition to the fire, those responsible spray-painted “ICE=KKK” on the building.
“We are deeply relieved that no one was harmed in what could have been a tragic and deadly attack,” Republican Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela said. “Those who resort to violence to undermine our state and nation must be held accountable, and our state leaders must reinforce through decisive action that these cowardly attacks will not be tolerated.”
She said the party is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, local law enforcement and federal investigators, who are looking into the incident.
“There is no excuse for political violence or vandalism of any kind, and I strongly condemn Sunday’s attack on the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “I am relieved that no one was hurt, and New Mexicans can rest assured that State Police and the Fire Marshal’s Office will assist the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as needed during the investigation.”
City officials and others also condemned the attack.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said, while details are not available as of yet, “arson is a violent and cowardly act that has no place in our city.”
“Politically motivated crimes of any kind are unacceptable, and I am grateful to our fire department for their swift response,” Keller said. “This incident is being investigated at the federal level, and I urge anyone with information to report it immediately.”
Albuquerque City Council President Brook Bassan and Councilor Renée Grout also condemned the suspected arson.
“The safety and security of all individuals and organizations are the primary responsibility of government,” Bassan said. “We stand united with the community against any attempt to disrupt or undermine that safety.”
Senate Republicans blamed Democrats for the attack.
“In the wake of a prominent Democrat official calling for her supporters to be ‘agitators,’ it appears some unhinged supporters took the message to heart and acted out in a violent manner,” the statement from Republican Senate leadership said. “Democrats must turn down the rhetoric and restore civility to our political process.”
Update: Added a quote from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
