Rep. Peter King: All Political Violence Must End

The violence and murder which took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday must be condemned by all men and women of good will. The white supremacists and Neo-Nazis who organized this hateful event — and their twisted ideology — have no place in American politics, culture or debate and must be condemned and rejected by all Americans.

Our nation does face very real and indeed existential issues and threats which we must confront and debate. Racism and Naziism can have no role in that debate. When I was interviewed on television late Saturday afternoon, I said these white supremacists and racists are "un-American." We can not allow these hate mongers to poison our national dialogue and divide our nation.

While there can be no suggestion of moral equivalency when dealing with the evil of Naziism, we must find a way to use this period of national reflection to condemn and minimize to the fullest extent possible (if not eliminate in totality) the use of violence as a political tool.

Assassinations of police officers have increased at an alarming rate. Riots and even fire bombs have been used to prevent controversial personages from speaking. Political violence is inimical to democracy and no person — particularly those in public life — should ever make any attempt to excuse or explain it away.

We can all find immediate common ground by calling for the prosecution of the accused Charlottesville murderer to the fullest extent of the law and, if convicted, the most severe possible punishment. America is the greatest nation on earth. Bigots, racists and haters will not divide us. God Bless America!!