Leaders of Alachua County’s Democratic and Republican parties combined their voices on Sunday to oppose political violence.
The joint press conference, held at the Alachua County Republican Party headquarters, happened following the shooting at a rally for former President Donald Trump.
Harrison Scoville, Alachua County Democrat Chairman, said Americans must learn to disagree civilly at the ballot box and condemned all acts of political violence.
“Although political times are tense right now, we need to learn to disagree with each other but not hate each other,” Scoville said.
Alachua County Republican Chairman Tim Marden agreed and said he was deeply saddened by the violence. He called the shooting a wake-up call to think twice about what he says and how others might interpret his words.
“Though we have political differences, they will not be solved like this,” Marden said. “We need to be able to speak with passion not poison, we need to be able to act with compassion not conflict, and we can be engaged without being enraged.”
Marden said he doesn’t anticipate violence escalating from the incident in Pennsylvania and hoped the act wouldn’t draw retaliation or any further violence.
The rally shooting left one person dead, injured two other spectators and nicked Trump’s right ear. A New York Times photographer captured the bullet passing by Trump’s head.
The incident prompted condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans. President Joe Biden spoke against the shooting hours after the incident.
