Instead of respecting the removal of the incendiary work from the Capitol building, Rep. Clay doubled down and promptly restored the work to its improper place on Tuesday morning. This sparked a sort of tug of war between Clay and his Republican colleagues, with the painting being removed not twice, but three separate times after the Missouri Democrat had it put back on the building’s wall. Rep. Cedric Richmond (pictured) has now threatened physical violence:
A spat between black lawmakers and Republicans over a painting on display in the Capitol got uglier Tuesday after multiple GOP lawmakers removed the painting for the second time in a week — and the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus suggested supporters of displaying the painting “may just have to kick somebody’s ass.”
The painting, by a high school student from the district that encompasses Ferguson, Mo., addresses strife that erupted between African-Americans and police after the death of Michael Brown. It shows police officers with animal heads and faces pointing guns at black citizens. A sign in the background reads “racism kills.” It was selected as part of a competition that displays art projects in the Capitol.
Critics say it depicts cops as “pigs” and doesn’t belong hung in the Capitol. But supporters say it’s a matter of free expression and Constitutional rights, and its Democratic defenders are venting increasingly pointed frustrations at attempts to remove the artwork without permission.
“We may just have to kick somebody’s ass and stop them,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), chairman of the CBC.
The comment, by Richmond came after Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) yanked the painting from the Capitol hallway for the second time in a week and returned it to the office of Rep. Lacy Clay, whose district includes Ferguson. The canvas had only just been rehung Tuesday morning after being removed last week by California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter.
On Tuesday, CBC members held a ceremony to re-hang it, snapping pictures of the event and daring Republicans to take it down again — and Lamborn obliged.
“Just yesterday, we honored Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. I could not, in good conscience, continue to walk by a painting that so flagrantly disrespected the brave police officers that protect us here in the Capitol and in our communities across the country,” said Lamborn in a statement. “I decided to continue the protest started by my colleague Congressman Hunter and I hope that permanent action is taken to remove this brazen attack on the brave men and women who make up the thin blue line.”
After Clay hung the painting for a second time in one day, two additional Republicans joined what they dubbed a “protest” to take it down in honor of police.
“Today I joined Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (Calif.) in taking down this offensive and disrespectful artwork hanging in [the] tunnel of [the] Capitol,” tweeted Rep. Brian Babin (Texas), linking to a picture of the two Republicans holding the painting.
The painting was eventually removed, permanently:
Breaking: Architect of the Capitol determines controversial painting violates House rules, will be removed on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/Utsfa2kIQx
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 14, 2017
The Architect of the Capitol got back to House Republicans late Friday to let them know that the painting does indeed violate contest rules. Fox News reported that the painting will come down on Tuesday.The painting sparked a tug-of-war of sorts this week between House Republicans and the National Black Caucus, with one Democrat attempting to press charges against Republican Duncan Hunter, who took the offensive artwork down.Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., told reporters that his staff met Monday with members of the Capitol Police to press theft charges against Hunter, who yanked the painting Friday and delivered it to Clay’s office.
“He had no right to take that picture down,” Clay said. “It’s thievery.”
Clay initially had the painting hung after it was chosen as a winner of a student art competition. It was one of 435 pieces of art chosen by local panels of artists to hang in the underground tunnel between the Capitol and the Cannon House Office Building.
All talk no action!
Can’t take the ghetto out of this man.