Elizabeth Warren Silenced by Senate for Quoting Coretta Scott King, Celebs React
Sen. Elizabeth Warren was silenced by Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell while trying to voice her opposition to the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general.
The Massachusetts senator was speaking in front of the senate on Tuesday night (February 7) when she decided to read a letter written by Martin Luther King Jr.‘s widow Coretta Scott King, in which she voiced her opposition to Sessions back in 1986.
“I write to express my sincere opposition to the confirmation of Jefferson B. Sessions as a federal district court judge for the Southern District of Alabama,” the letter read. “Anyone who has used the power of his office as United States Attorney to intimidate and chill the free exercise of the ballot by citizens should not be elevated to our courts.”
When McConnell objected to Warren‘s speech, he cited the second line as something that was over the line.
“I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate,” Warren said.
She later took to Twitter and said, “Tonight on the Senate floor, I tried to speak about why [Sessions] is totally unfit to serve as Attorney General. On the floor, I read a letter that Coretta Scott King wrote in 1986 opposing [Sessions]‘s judicial nomination. I spoke out about [Sessions] – until McConnell decided to silence me. I will not be silent about a nominee for AG who has made derogatory & racist comments that have no place in our justice system. I will not be silent while the Republicans rubber stamp an AG who will never stand up to the @POTUS when he breaks the law. Tonight [McConnell] silenced Mrs King’s voice on the Sen floor – & millions who are afraid & appalled by what’s happening in our country.”
Sen. McConnell Refuses to Let Sen. Warren Speak About Attorney General Nominee Sessions
Click inside to read what celebs are saying in reaction to what happened…
Read what celebs are saying below!
READ THIS. Tonight the GOP silenced @SenWarren AND Coretta Scott King. Below is the letter… https://t.co/3mExB55u5N pic.twitter.com/lMHqP0asY0
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) February 8, 2017
Rules made as they go to serve their agenda. It's mob Ego. SAD! https://t.co/EflSL7hDQN
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 8, 2017
Disturbing. https://t.co/EzESCWRqLb
— Chloe Bennet (@ChloeBennet4) February 8, 2017
I think it's important to recognize that McConnell's censorship of Warren tonight is part of a Republican process to curtail democracy.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 8, 2017
RT now if you believe it is wrong for the GOP to silence @SenWarren for trying to read a letter from Coretta Scott King. #LetLizSpeak
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 8, 2017
The GOP suppressing free speech, silencing Warren tonight for reading Coretta Scott King's criticism of Sessions. We need to shut down D.C.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 8, 2017
Think about it: Senator Warren was silenced in the U.S. Senate for reading the words of Coretta Scott King. We are losing our democracy.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 8, 2017
So it's time to change my profile pic again for the night. Leontyne? Lena? Or Coretta?
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) February 8, 2017
Each Dem senator must now read Coretta Scott King letter on floor. Force votes shutting down each senator. https://t.co/uElMhiiQ8j
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) February 8, 2017
\
#fuckthesemen https://t.co/Jds2kSKJlU
— Amy Brenneman (@TheAmyBrenneman) February 8, 2017
#fuckthesemen https://t.co/Jds2kSKJlU
— Amy Brenneman (@TheAmyBrenneman) February 8, 2017
✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 #StopSessions https://t.co/DDtQFtJBZn
— Kendrick Sampson (@kendrick38) February 8, 2017