May 19, 2022 News & Press Releases

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: VA-07 Republican Candidates are United in January 6 Denialism, Extremism


by Democratic Party of Virginia

Richmond, VA – Republicans in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District (VA-07) are denying the events of the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. 

At a recent GOP forum, VA-07 Republican candidates were asked a simple (albeit ridiculous) question by the moderator: “Was January 6, 2021 in Washington an insurrection, or was it a protest for redress of grievances?” 

Given the national GOP’s declaration that the attack on the U.S. Capitol and lies that led to it were “legitimate political discourse,” the answers from the candidates in VA-07 more than one year after the horrific day were shocking. 

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THEIR REMARKS, CLICK HERE

In their own words:

Bryce Reeves: “So my personal belief was it wasn’t an insurrection and it was the epitome of the American people who were frustrated with their government and not being able to actually talk to anyone and it boiled over.” 

Yesli Vega: “It was actually a group of Americans exercising their 1st amendment rights and as a result of doing that they’ve been persecuted, shamed, forced out of there jobs, forced to retire, and listen, the double standard is sickening.”

Derrick Anderson: “No, it was not an insurrection.” 

Gina Ciarcia: “I resent it being called an insurrection because it was not, and I also think Ted Cruz saying that it a ‘violent act of terrorism’ was completely inaccurate, and he should never had said that at all.”

David Ross: “So, January 6th was not an insurrection, I think January 6th was an attempt for redress of grievances. And again, the left doesn’t play fair, do they? I mean you’ve seen leaks from January 6th committee from the Dems that are victimizing and making a target out of a Supreme Court Justice’s wife …” 

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