NY GOP state headquarters defaced with Nazi symbols for second time in 2 weeks as leaders urge Dems to tone down rhetoric
The New York State Republican Party's Albany headquarters was defaced with Nazi imagery for the second time in two weeks – as party leaders blamed Democrats for escalating political tensions.
The word 'Nazis' with an arrow pointed to it underneath was scribbled on the face of the building on State Street — just two blocks from the state Capitol, the GOP said in a statement Tuesday.
The vandalism comes less than two weeks after printed images of the Nazi swastikas were taped to the doors and windows of the GOP building, which is also used for campaign events.
State GOP chairman Ed Cox.Cox blamed Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for stoking anti-GOP hysteria.
'Chuck Schumer, with his constant demagoguery and past calls to political violence and AOC, with her present 'Fight the Oligarchy' tour, are fueling a climate of hostility that emboldens such hateful actors.
They must immediately call on their supporters to reject political violence and restore civility to our discourse,' Cox said.
He said both the Albany Police department and district attorney are investigating.
House GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik slammed the vandalism as a 'direct threat' to Republican staff..
'This was not a random act of vandalism—it was an escalation of political hatred deliberately aimed at intimidating Republicans and silencing our voices,' Stefanik said.
Rockland Rep. Mike Lawler called on the culprits to be prosecuted 'to the fullest extent of the law.'
'The growing calls for political violence we're seeing around the country are being fueled by Democrats like Chuck Schumer, JB Pritzker, Federica Wilson, and others, who have used reckless rhetoric and actions, calling for Republicans to 'not know a moment of peace,' saying Republicans are 'traitors,' sending paid far-left activists to disrupt events, and creating a climate of hostility that emboldens and encourages these acts,' Lawler said.
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