AFSCME's Saunders: We stand with our family in Minnesota and demand that justice be served

AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the tragic assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman:

"We at AFSCME are heartbroken and outraged that a day in which hundreds of thousands of Americans engaged in peaceful protest was tarnished by heinous acts of politically motivated violence. The tragic assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as the attempted assassination of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, strike at the very heart of our democratic rights and ideals.

"We mourn this senseless loss of life and stand with our family in Minnesota in demanding that justice be served. Make no mistake: these murderous acts and other politically targeted threats of violence are intended to silence dissent and intimidate lawmakers and everyday citizens committed to fighting for dignity, opportunity and basic fairness for America’s working families. But we will not be silenced, nor will we be intimidated. No act of political violence will weaken our resolve. We will continue to stand up, speak out, and get organized — because our democracy depends on it."