Posted on 03/31/2006 5:41:56 AM PST by maggief
Edited on 03/31/2006 8:39:58 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney planned to hold a news conference with her lawyer on Friday, but the original 11 a.m. time for it is supposedly being rescheduled, according to an aide in her office.
U.S. Capitol Police say there is surveillance video of a confrontation between an officer and Rep. McKinney, but they say the video will not be released.
McKinney released a statement saying she deeply regrets the incident, but was rushing to a meeting when the officer failed to recognize her.
McKinney says she was not wearing a lapel pin identifying her as a House member, but says she did display her Congressional ID.
Both McKinney and the officer agree that she went past a metal detector, which a Member of Congress is allowed to do.
But the officer says when he placed his hand on her shoulder, she struck him the chest.
Capitol police say they are investigating the officer’s complaint.
McKinney says that government security officers often fail to recognize her, and treat her like a criminal suspect.
Her critics in her DeKalb County district say she thrives on controversies she manufactures.
McKinney’s staff members are defending her by distributing a clip of her from the new film “American Blackout.” McKinney is showing the filmmaker around the capitol grounds, and a security officer fails to recognize her at first, and stops her.
“That’s just typical of the type of treatment I receive. It’s typical. So, I’m not surprised and I’m not offended,” McKinney said. “Okay. Thank you. Some things never change. That’s what Tupac said.”
McKinney and her aides say that even now, in the midst of her sixth term in the House, Capitol Police constantly stop her and treat her like an intruder or terrorist until she can prove to them she is a Member of Congress.
Still, she says she is expressing deep regret about her most recent confrontation with an officer, who says that this time, she struck him after recognizing her.
“I think she needs a little lesson in diplomacy and aplomb,” said DeKalb County voter Fern Garber.
In McKinney’s district, mostly DeKalb County, many voters are as frustrated with McKinney as she is with Capitol police.
“I think that the person was just doing his job. And I don’t see any harm in that, not recognizing her,” said Jennifer Bassaragh.
Constituent John Love said, “I can understand her being upset. But if she actually struck the officer, that was wrong.”
McKinney’s supporters think Capitol police need to improve.
“I think she’s still going to do a good job, and she’s capable of doing a good job in representing us -- it hasn’t changed,” said Thomasine Caramouche.
DeKalb County voter Valery Singleton said, “I think overall, she's still doing a pretty good job. I would vote for her again.”
This being an election year, McKinney’s Democratic challenger for the nomination this year, DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson, was quick to condemn her as an embarrassment to the state of Georgia.
“She can no longer effectively represent the citizens of the fourth district, simply because nobody in Congress pays any attention to her at this point,” Johnson said.
McKinney’s office has not responded to a request by 11Alive News for an on-camera interview. Capitol police have not filed charges against McKinney as of this point, but they say the case is under investigation. It is not known whether the officer will press charges against McKinney personally.
McKinney's office says that the Representative will speak in a press conference on Friday at 11 a.m. 11Alive.com will carry that press conference live.
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO..NO!!!!!!!!!
I'm guessing it is what you are thinking. : )
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