PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A coalition of Philadelphia area officials gathered Monday outside Philadelphia City Hall to condemn the long history of American political violence that almost claimed the life of Republican candidate Donald Trump on Saturday. Led by City Commission Chair Omar Sabir, they called for united opposition to such violence and reassured voters the November general election will be safe and fair.
“This election, Tuesday, Nov. 5, is the most critical and the most historic election of our lifetime,” Sabir said.
Philadelphia City Commissioners are no strangers to violent threats. Sabir, among others, received violent threats after Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election.
Standing beside the statue of Octavius Catto, who was assassinated by a white supremacist in 1871 for organizing Black voters, Sabir recalled Trump supporters not only made threats, some of them came to Philadelphia with AR-15-style rifles to carry them out.
“There was assault weapons brought to the Convention Center. And if it wasn’t for the heroism of the Philadelphia police and FBI, I might not be here talking to you right now,” Sabir said.
As the gathering called for a united rejection of such tactics, they identified two factors that contribute to political violence. One, is the availability of high-powered weapons, as Montgomery County Commission Chair Neal Makhija noted.
“A weapon of war should never end up in the hands of a 20-year-old, as it did on Saturday,” Makhija said. “So that is an issue we will also work together on as a region to prevent.”
The other factor in political violence is the deliberate spread of misinformation, Makhija said.
“One common thread in recent election violence is misinformation in claiming our elections are rife with fraud.”
Makhija said Pennsylvania elections are among the most secure anywhere, and citizens can help keep it that way by reporting threats and sharing accurate facts.
“We also encourage everyone to take care in what information they are sharing or amplifying. We all have a role in bringing down the temperature and stop sharing misinformation,” said Lauren Cristella of the election watchdog group Committee of Seventy.
Sabir reassured voters of the integrity of elections in the city.
“Elections here in Philadelphia have always been simple, safe and secure,” he said. “It’s safe for you to vote in Philadelphia. It’s safe for you to be a poll worker. We’re all about democracy here, and no one can stop democracy.”
District Attorney Larry Krasner says his office has been working on a plan to increase election security.
“This city is going to lead — lead — in the United States in election protection,” Krasner said.