The following letter was sent to Delaware senators with a copy provided to the Cape Gazette for publication.
Regarding the Senate Democratic Caucus’ March 7 statement that attacked Sen. Gerald Hocker and called on him to apologize for his remarks about protesters at the State of the State, I am appalled that such a personal attack could be made when every aspect of this situation is the subject of such raw emotions on all sides.
The issue is centered upon the actions of the protesters, which disrupted the proceedings, just as Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton did to Vice President Harris' Christmas Party statements in December, when she held up a sign that read "cease fire" and began yelling. In both cases, the provisions of the Delaware Constitution Article 1, Bill of Rights Section 5, Freedom of Speech and Section 16 Right to Address Grievances, were trampled upon by the disruptive actions. This can be demonstrated by the very language used in the joint statement that stated the protesters’ actions "... may have been uncomfortable and unprecedented." All of us have the right to free speech and to petition for redress, but it must be utilized appropriately in all situations and not be disruptive.
In the statement, it demanded Hocker apologize for his comments that said the protesters were "supporters of the terrorist organization Hamas." The statement characterized the senator's statement as Islamophobic and said the "charge [is] baseless.” It further characterized his statements as “hate speech.” In light of the brutal and murderous attacks by Hamas on the Israeli people, the passions of all, including the protesters, have been justifiably aggravated to the extreme. As a matter of fact, the attacks of Oct. 7 were indeed carried out by Hamas, and it is not a reach to associate and state that those who support such actions with such protests are, at a minimum, Hamas supporters. How then can such a factual statement be characterized as Islamophobic and as hate speech when it is simply a statement of facts? It would appear this statement is an opportunistic political attack on the senator, which I find disappointing. The situational reality is that the protesters and Rep. Wilson-Anton allowed their passions to overcome their reason and decorum. This horrific situation needs to be the subject of reasoned and diplomatic discussions if it is ever to be resolved, not opportunistic attacks on senators. No apology is required, and all should be working jointly to address issues as they apply to our state.
Another issue regards the breakdown of a five-month bipartisan effort by Sen. Eric Buckson to explore solutions to behavior and discipline issues in our public schools, which was derailed by Sen. Bryan Townsend's 11th-hour introduction of his own version of legislation. Townsend's actions essentially discarded the bipartisan resolution. It would appear that nonproductive partisanship has now entered and become the norm in Delaware politics. It is disappointing that bipartisan efforts such as this can be discarded so frivolously for partisan reasons.
As in our national political arena, I am disgusted the collective can't focus on what is best for the residents of Delaware!
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