Local leaders react to riots at the U.S. Capitol

Local leaders reacted Wednesday to the riots in Washington, D.C., and inside the U.S. Capitol. Lorain County's three officials in Congress and both of the Ohio senators were at the Capitol at the time the protests began. In addition, a group of local Republicans left at 1 a.m. Wednesday to drive to D.C. Among those was Kirsten Hill, chairwoman for the local TEA Party and State Education Board member. Hill said more than 300 went from the Lorain County and Cleveland area. Some riding the bus came from Michigan, western Ohio and even some from Wisconsin. The group attended President Donald Trump's speech at noon, located near the Washington Monument. Toward the end of the speech, around 1 p.m., Hill said they began making their way to the U.S. Capitol. There were speakers scheduled to speak there. As the group neared the reflection pond, Hill said they could see a lot of people had already made their way to the Capitol. "It was pretty incredible that all those folks were there," she said. She said there were temporary bleachers set up outside the Capitol, possibly for the upcoming inauguration. Hill said all kinds of people with flags were on the bleachers and calling people to come in closer. "You kind of watched the thing unfold," Hill said. She said there was word that there were "infiltrators" who weren't there for "what the rest of us were there for," Hill said. She said people can get caught up with crowds. A friend of hers that Hill said she did not see Wednesday had texted her and said a group of people had separated early from Trump's speech and made their way to the Capitol, which Hill said she thought was strange. Several Republicans have begun to spread word that it was actually antifa that went in to the Capitol, but there is no evidence to support that. Instead, several of the protestors are recognized Trump and QAnon supporters. Hill's group stayed close, she said, and none went into the Capitol building, she said. They were walking up on the lawn and saw someone was bringing some sort of tear gas, and pink stuff that Hill said looked like a fire extinguisher. "We're not damaging property," she said. "That's high on our list. We respect people's property and the public property." Hill was not monitoring the news, and said she didn't know what was happening inside the Capitol, only outside. They learned a woman was shot after people started getting news alerts. "It was pretty dynamic," she said. "It was kind of in a slow motion." Hill said she guessed it made an impression on elected officials, although she hadn't yet seen reactions from anyone yet. It certainly did made an impression on lawmakers inside the Capitol building. Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, who had planned to object to the certification of the Electoral College vote, said in a statement that he "absolutely and completely" condemns what happened at the Capitol. "These violent and illegal actions must be met with swift justice," the statement said. He urged everyone "to let law enforcement do their job and to leave the Capitol area. This is shameful and un-American." Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, who also had planned to object to the certification of the Electoral College, sent out a short statement. "Americans support peaceful protests, First Amendment activity, and the men and women of law enforcement. What happened today is wrong and is not what America is about." Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, released a statement saying the behavior of rioters would not be allowed to prevent the constitutional mandate to certify the Electoral College votes. "This is a horrific day for American democracy and liberty," she said. "My deepest gratitude goes out to the selfless men and women of the Capitol Police for keeping my colleagues and our public servants safe. The attack on the U.S. Capitol today is an assault on democracy, decency and our Constitution. Those who have stoked and perpetuated this violence must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law." Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, tweeted that he and his staff were safe: "The violence at the Capitol needs to end now. The lives of countless workers — journalists, staff, and Capitol Police are being put at risk by this attack on our democracy." Sen. Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, who had said he would not support the opposition to the Electoral College votes, put out a statement calling the violent protests shameful. "An attack on the Capitol building is an attack on every American," he said. "Likewise, an attack on our nation's brave law enforcement officers is an attack on the rule of law and the safety and security of all Americans. It is time for President Trump to embrace the peaceful transfer of power, which is mandated under the Constitution and a hallmark of our democracy." After the Senate regathered late in the evening, both Portman and Brown voted to certify the Electoral College vote, as they had said they would do. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a news release that the riots were an "embarrassment to our country." He said President Donald Trump should call on the protestors to leave the Capitol building. "The final step in the constitutional process of electing our president has been disrupted. The stopping of the count of the Electoral College votes has occurred because the security of the U.S. Capitol has been breached by a violent mob. As a nation of laws, this is simply not acceptable. Lawlessness is not acceptable. This is an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear. Those who breached the Capitol breached the Constitution. Peaceful demonstrations outside the Capitol are an exercise of the demonstrators' First Amendment rights. Stopping the constitutional process by which we elect the president is not." Lorain County Republican Chair David Arredondo said he was not among the group that went to D.C., but condemned the actions at the Capitol. "I certainly condemn any kind of civil disobedience or violence," he said. "This is not Republicans. I don't know who is causing the occupation of the Capitol there. Whoever it is, they should be arrested and prosecuted." Lorain County Democratic Chair Tony Giardini said the sight of the Capitol being overrun was something he couldn't have imagined "in my worst nightmares." "Last time I checked, it's a federal crime to do what they did. It's a federal felony and they're not getting pardoned," Giardini said. "They've got pictures of all of them. Every damned one of them needs to be indicted and put on trial. Every one of them. There is no excuse for it." State Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, said it was just a matter of time before something like this happened. "Unfortunately I think that the whole world is watching and many of us are disappointed that we are in a time in this country where we think this is a necessary response to losing an election." State Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, sent a news release calling the violence a "sad day for America." "No matter the form of protests across this country, they should not escalate into violence," she said. "I am praying for our law enforcement and our country during these unprecedented times of uncertainty. I hope that balance and order are reinstated within our nation's capital." State Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, expressed similar sentiments as other leaders across Ohio. "This is sad for our country; it's embarrassing for our country," he said. "… I support the First Amendment, but this is rioting and it needs to stop." State Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Read local Twitter feeds from our representatives as news evolves at https://bit.ly/3hTWapW.