Statement from Sen. Berger on Raleigh Riots

Raleigh, N.C. — Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) today released the following statement:

“Last night, Raleigh’s capital city sustained widespread damage from hordes of rioters who set fire to the street and destroyed businesses — again. Businesses were shown on live TV with armed private guards — mercenaries — protecting life and property because their elected leaders failed them.

“The destruction represents a failure of executive leadership at every level. Only a fool would think that permitting lawlessness on night one would result in different behavior on night two.

“Last night should have been anticipated and additional steps, including imposition of a curfew and early deployment of National Guard resources, should have been taken. There is no excuse.

“If you’re a tattoo artist trying to reopen your business, you’ll be arrested in front of a TV camera as a ‘show of force.’ But if you burn that tattoo parlor to the ground, you’ll face no consequence.

“If you’re a group of 11 worshipers looking to pray inside your chapel, the Governor will go to federal court to stop you. But if you’re a group of 100 rioters, the Governor will make empty gestures about ‘encouraging’ local officials hours before you return with baseball bats to wreak havoc all over again.

“Inaction, paralysis, and intentional neglect by elected leaders can no longer be ignored. It is past time for Governor Cooper to lead forcefully and decisively to put an end to what more and more looks like organized domestic terrorism.”