Shapiro calls for ending political violence at ‘Eradicate Hate’ summit; White House responds

(WHTM) — It is an era of political violence. It’s happened in Butler and Harrisburg. Governor Shapiro spoke a lot about it today in what he called a major address at the Eradicate Hate Summit in Pittsburgh.

Shapiro insisted all leaders must speak and act with moral clarity, but suggested not all leaders are doing so. Governor Josh Shapiro last spring, President Donald Trump last year

Former Governor Tom Corbett wonders how long it will last.

“Enough is enough,” said Corbett.

State Republicans teamed with Democrat Shapiro for a bipartisan repudiation of political violence.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s coming from one side or from the other, directed at one party or another, one person or another,” Governor Shapiro said in his speech. “It is all wrong.”

Also wrong, Shapiro says, are suggestions from Donald Trump and others that the violence is only perpetrated by the left, ignoring the murder of a Minnesota lawmaker and arson at the Governor’s Residence.

“That only further divides us, and it makes it harder to heal,” said Shapiro. “There are some who will hear that selective condemnation and take it as a permission slip to commit more violence so long as it suits their narrative or only targets the other side.”

Lancaster Square passerbys suggest maybe it’s the sides that are the problem, and people intensely picking them and irrationally defending.

“It’s like no one knows how to disagree anymore,” said Dara Bachman of Lancaster. “If you disagree, you take these drastic actions rather than having a conversation, trying to understand other people’s point of view. I think it makes it kind of a scary world.”

“No matter the opinion, no matter which side you’re on, you can’t really speak your mind,” said Jessica Gathright of Lancaster. “If you’re on one side of the party, then the other side looks at you like you’re completely wrong and vice versa.”

Is there a right way forward?

“I think we actually have to speak up,” said Bachman. “Those of us who are somewhere in the middle, who know how to have healthy disagreement, we need to speak up and let that be a voice.”

We can do that. The question is, will we? Until then, Corbett has the most important question around political violence.

“When is this going to stop?” asked Corbett.

Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity released a statement on the assassination of conservative personality Charlie Kirk:

“Last week’s assassination of Charlie Kirk reminds us that violence is never an acceptable expression of political difference in this country. Regardless of your political ideology, we must respect one another’s views and be open to debate. We can agree to disagree, but in order for our democracy to prevail, we must lead by example, not by division.”

White House Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson released a statement to abc27 in response to Governor Shapiro’s remarks:

“As the survivor of two assassination attempts — and now watching his dear friend Charlie be assassinated — no one understands the dangers of political violence more than President Trump. That’s why, following Charlie’s assassination, President Trump delivered powerful and unifying remarks urging all Americans to ‘commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died. The values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.’ But President Trump, and the entire Administration, will not hesitate to speak the truth – for years, radical leftists have slandered their political opponents as Nazis and Fascists, inspiring left-wing violence. It must end.”