Two white supremacists have been convicted for sending deaths threats to Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California).
Ceasar Sayoc, a man from Aventura, Florida, plotted to carry out a series of package bomb attacks targeting high-profile Democrats last year.
Among the list includes Waters, presidential candidates Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker and a host of journalists who were critical of President Donald Trump's administration. According to NBC News, the 56-year-old pleaded guilty to 65 counts including mailing explosives on Thursday. He faces a life sentence in prison.
The second man, Stephen Taubert, was found guilty by a grand jury for sending terroristic, racist threats to Waters' office in California. He claimed he was plotting to kill Waters as well as former President Barack Obama. The federal grand jury found he only targeted his victims due to their race.
“I am pleased by the identification, arrest, and conviction of the men who threatened me, my family, and my staff in support of their racist, white supremacist, and hate-filled agenda," Waters said in a press release. "Let these convictions be a lesson to all those who would threaten to kill or cause bodily harm to us: you will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
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These two men join three others who planned to bring harm to vocal anti-Trump critics. Anthony Scott Lloyd, Richard Mel Phillips and Christopher Hasson have been arrested and convicted for attempting white supremacist-inspired attacks on Black politicians.
“Unfortunately, these types of violent threats – and other acts of hate – by ultra right-wing extremists and white nationalists are on the rise in this country and around the world," Waters said in the press release sent to Blavity. "This disturbing trend is only made worse by the violent rhetoric and bullying tactics of the current President of the United States."
The seasoned congresswoman encouraged those who disagree with her ideas to engage with her in peaceful political discourse.
“Violence and all forms of hate have no place in our political discourse and our society. I applaud the efforts of the U.S. Capitol Police, FBI, Secret Service, federal prosecutors, and other law enforcement entities, as well as my colleagues in the U.S. Congress, who are united in the effort to identify and bring to justice all those responsible for violent threats and all acts of hate.”
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