Lawmakers react to arrest of Lebanon man accused of threatening legislators

Lawmakers on Wednesday, who were among those referenced in court documents charging a Lebanon, Pa., man with making terroristic threats against legislators, condemned the alleged actions of a man whom police said posted about a “hit list.”Social media posts raised alarmState police said references to a “Memorial Day operation,” the names of state lawmakers, and an image of a gun raised alarms. Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks County, one of the lawmakers named in the documents, stressed the importance of addressing political violence. Santarsiero: Political violence is a societal problem”We need to understand this is not a Democratic problem. It’s not a Republican problem. It is a problem for our society. And we had better wake up to that and take action,” Santarsiero said. Other lawmakers voice similar concernsOther lawmakers mentioned in the court documents echoed similar concerns. “The use of social media where you can make threats is just not right,” said Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County. Kinkead highlights the personal tollRepresentative Emily Kinkead said the personal impact of such threats affects more than just the individuals named.”Because somebody is upset with something that I’m doing in my job that, you know, my, my family would lose a sister or an aunt or a daughter … why is that OK?” Kinkead said. Expert warns of escalating political divisionBerwood Yost, Director of the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College, said divisive political rhetoric and social media can amplify tensions that may lead to violence, and such actions must always be condemned.”That really should always be our starting point … this notion of affective polarization, where the other side becomes the enemy,” Yost said.Shapiro promises better protection and notificationGov. Josh Shapiro, whose official residence was targeted in a firebombing last year, said his administration would work with lawmakers to protect them against threats. He also said a better system would be implemented to notify lawmakers, as many only learned of the situation yesterday, despite Berryhill’s arrest last week.”It is on all of us to combat hate speech and political violence, and I call on all of my fellow Pennsylvanians and fellow leaders to stand up against this dangerous rising tide of violence we are seeing across our country,” he said.

Lawmakers on Wednesday, who were among those referenced in court documents charging a Lebanon, Pa., man with making terroristic threats against legislators, condemned the alleged actions of a man whom police said posted about a “hit list.”

Social media posts raised alarm

State police said references to a “Memorial Day operation,” the names of state lawmakers, and an image of a gun raised alarms. Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks County, one of the lawmakers named in the documents, stressed the importance of addressing political violence.

Santarsiero: Political violence is a societal problem

“We need to understand this is not a Democratic problem. It’s not a Republican problem. It is a problem for our society. And we had better wake up to that and take action,” Santarsiero said.

Other lawmakers voice similar concerns

Other lawmakers mentioned in the court documents echoed similar concerns.

“The use of social media where you can make threats is just not right,” said Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County.

Kinkead highlights the personal toll

Representative Emily Kinkead said the personal impact of such threats affects more than just the individuals named.

“Because somebody is upset with something that I’m doing in my job that, you know, my, my family would lose a sister or an aunt or a daughter … why is that OK?” Kinkead said.

Expert warns of escalating political division

Berwood Yost, Director of the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College, said divisive political rhetoric and social media can amplify tensions that may lead to violence, and such actions must always be condemned.

“That really should always be our starting point … this notion of affective polarization, where the other side becomes the enemy,” Yost said.

Shapiro promises better protection and notification

Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose official residence was targeted in a firebombing last year, said his administration would work with lawmakers to protect them against threats. He also said a better system would be implemented to notify lawmakers, as many only learned of the situation yesterday, despite Berryhill’s arrest last week.

“It is on all of us to combat hate speech and political violence, and I call on all of my fellow Pennsylvanians and fellow leaders to stand up against this dangerous rising tide of violence we are seeing across our country,” he said.