Story by Chris Graham
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Fifth District Republican nomination candidate Laurence Verga issued a statement this morning on the incident at the home of the older brother of Congressman Tom Perriello.
“I condemn any acts or promotion of violence against Congressman Tom Perriello’s family or any American for that matter. Disagreements over policy should never be resolved by violence but through civil discussion and elections,” Verga said.
The incident at the home of Bo Perriello involved the cutting of a gas line. Bo Perriello’s address had been posted on the web as being that of Congressman Perriello by Tea Party members who advised people upset with Tom Perriello’s vote on health-care reform to go to his home to let him know of their displeasure.
“Albemarle County native Thomas Jefferson eloquently wrote in the Declaration of Independence that ‘all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’ Not only do we have a moral duty to respect these unalienable rights, but doing so is essential to maintaining our democracy,” Verga said.
“While it is understandable that people may become angry over the discourse and results of an issue debate, it is unacceptable to respond with violence. Representative Perriello did his job in making a decision on a public policy debate before him in Congress. If you disagree with him then don’t vote for him in November, but promoting and/or committing any act of violence toward him or his family should not and will not be tolerated,” Verga said.
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