1954 Shooting in the House Chamber

History House.gov ^

[SJackson]

On March 1, 1954, while Members gathered on the House Floor for an upcoming vote, three men and one woman entered the visitor’s gallery above the chamber and quietly took their seats. All four belonged to the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party and only hours earlier had traveled from New York City to Washington, DC.

The United States had annexed Puerto Rico in 1898, and the island’s relationship with the federal government had long been a point of contention. Some Puerto Ricans sought to maintain their relationship with the mainland, and others, like the four visitors in the House that day, argued for an independent Puerto Rico.

The Capitol had few security protocols at the time, and the four Puerto Rican nationalists entered the gallery armed with handguns. Around 2:30 p.m. they indiscriminately opened fire onto the House Floor and unfurled a Puerto Rican flag in a violent act of protest meant to draw attention to their demand for Puerto Rico’s immediate independence.

Five Congressmen were wounded in the shooting.

Members, House Pages, and police officers quickly helped detain three of the assailants outside the gallery, while the fourth escaped the Capitol and was apprehended later that afternoon.

House Pages carry a stretcher bearing a wounded Member to a waiting ambulance. To commemorate the 65th anniversary of this event, the Office of the House Historian collected oral histories with eyewitnesses, including House staff, Pages, and police officers. Listen to firsthand accounts that describe the surprise attack in detail and the shocked reaction by people there that day. These stories serve as important reminders of the need to ensure the safety of the House while preserving the accessible relationship between elected Representatives and their constituents.

[ptsal]

Bkmk Puerto Rico

[SJackson]

Tired of hearing the media spout that yesterday was the first time the Capitol was "breached". If shooting 5 Congresspersons (proper pronoun) doesn't count I don't know what does.

Was it important? Eisenhower administration thought so, Lolita Lebrón, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Andres Figueroa Cordero, and Irvin Flores Rodríguez were prosecuted and sentenced to 75 years + 6. Except Lolita, she's a woman (improper pronoun) and got 50 + 6 based on her gender. To the Carter administration, no big deal, he pardoned all four of them. Sent them back to PR over the objection of the PR Governor.

[silverleaf]

https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/president-obamas-pardon-oscar-lopez-rivera-trades-terrorist-votes

Lol at this...satire I hope
https://spectator.org/dont-pardon-violent-capitol-attackers-as-democrat-presidents-did/

[a fool in paradise]

On July 23, 1978, Figueroa Cordero traveled to Cuba to receive treatment for his illness in that country’s Fajardo Hospital. During his stay in the hospital he was awarded the Pablo de la Torriente Brau Medal by the Cuban Communist Youth[17] and was visited by Fidel Castro.[18]

Figueroa Cordero returned to his hometown in Puerto Rico where he died on March 7, 1979.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andres_Figueroa_Cordero

[SJackson]

It’s not satire. In addition to the 4 mentioned above, Clinton pardoned 12 (I think) FALN terrorists. One refused the pardon, I believe he’s the one Obama pardoned. Clinton also pardoned Susan Rosenberg, convicted of guns and weapons charges and sentenced to 58 years. Bill pardoned her after 16, today she handles the financed for BLM. At least she has a job.

[Clemenza]

The lady was cute for a terrorist. The three other dudes look like Menudo rejects.

[KSCITYBOY]

btt

[cgbg]

I was talking to my wife about this yesterday.

Jimmy Carter pardoned the perps and sent them back home to cheering supporters in Puerto Rico.

Yup—the same Jimmy Carter who was whining just the other day....