BUFFALO (WBEN) - One day removed from the mob attack at the U.S. Capitol, local residents gathered at the corner of Elmwood & Bidwell, calling for the removal of President Trump and other "treasonous public servants."
"Today we're showing our absolute dissent and complete rejection of what happened yesterday - we're letting people know that behavior is unacceptable," said community activist Julia Stevens, who also said she has a real problem with those who compare the Capitol attack to the Black Lives Matter protests that occurred across the country during the summer of 2020.
"It's unacceptable to compare what happened yesterday, which was an act of terrorism, to the work that we've been doing for equality for Black lives," Stevens continued. "We're here to let people know that this is what a peaceful protest is supposed to look like - when you disagree with somebody, you don't harm people, you don't attack them, and you don't get physically violent, you show up, you use your voice..."
However, protesters didn't simply take issue with President Trump but also called out local politicians such as Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw and Congressman Chris Jacobs, saying both need to be removed from their respective offices as well.
Nate McMurray, who ran for the seat in New York's 27th Congressional District several times, the seat now held by Jacobs, has been vocal on social media and he helped get the word out about Thursday afternoon's protest.
Bout time. How about @RepJacobs? https://t.co/8P10y0RtWD
— Nate McMurray (@Nate_McMurray) January 7, 2021
"I want to see local leaders and especially congressmen and people in Albany who have direct ties to Washington, I want them to use strong language, I want them to be straightforward and call this an act of domestic terrorism, not call them riots, not call them protesters," said Stevens. "I want them to hold these people accountable and say this behavior is not going to be tolerated..."
