Cori Bush says pardon of couple who waved guns at BLM protesters is ‘absolutely unbelievable’
Lawmaker describes the McCloskeys as ‘totally reckless’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Missouri Representative Cori Bush has expressed her outrage at the pardons granted to a couple who pointed their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters.
Mark and Patricia McCloskey were caught on camera wielding weapons as racial justice protesters marched in their neighbourhood last year. Video footage of them standing outside their home brandishing an AR-15 rifle and a handgun as protesters passed by went viral.
Ms Bush, who was among the marchers that day, told CNN the pardons of the St Louis couple by Republican Missouri Governor Mike Parson were “absolutely unbelievable”.
“Mark McCloskey is an absolute liar,” said the congresswoman. "He has spat on my name. And because of that, his day will come. You will not be successful in all that you’re trying to do, when you are hurting the very people that are out trying to save lives … He can try it, but I will not stand by and allow him or our governor to hurt the very people that are doing the work that they should be doing.”
The couple are wealthy lawyers who live in a mansion on a private street in St Louis. Their attorney said the demonstrators broke down a gate to get onto the private street and threatened them, but prosecutors determined the demonstrators acted peacefully.
Ms Bush described the pair’s actions as “totally reckless”.
The couple had initially pleaded guilty to misdemeanours in connection with the incident and were ordered to pay fines.
Speaking about the pardons, Mr McCloskey told Fox News “It’s a correction of something that should have never happened in the first place.”
In May, Mr McCloskey announced he was running as a Republican for the US Senate. He’s remained unrepentant about the incident, and in one of his campaign ads, promised that given the chance he would do the same thing “again and again and again”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments