"My name was on a flier of targeted sites that were going to be protested yesterday ... but at night, folks came and got violent and vandalized the actual district office." Espaillat expressed that the targeted protests transitioned into nighttime violence, indicating a troubling escalation in hostility towards his office. He highlighted that this attack was premeditated and linked to a climate of rising tensions around recent events.
"It was very unfortunate and kind of abrasive that on the anniversary of Oct. 7, when more than 1,200 people lost their lives in gruesome ways ... instead of appealing for peace they resorted to violence and vandalism," Espaillat emphasized the irony of the timing of the attack, underscoring the need for peaceful discourse amidst tensions.
"They splattered red paint all over the glass, signs, sidewalk and there was broken glass everywhere," Espaillat described the severity of the damage done to his office, portraying a scene of violence that left a physical mark on the community.
"I will be there tomorrow, I was there today, and I will be back tomorrow," Espaillat reassured constituents about his commitment to serve despite the vandalism, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
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