GOP “mob violence” at Capitol shuts down DC Safeway stores; hotels evacuated; Trumka decries “one of the greatest assaults on our democracy since the Civil War”

“We are witnessing one of the greatest assaults on our democracy since the Civil War,” tweeted AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka Wednesday afternoon as protestors incited by President Trump continued to besiege -- and, ultimately break into -- the U.S. Capitol building. “Today’s attempted coup has been years in the making as @RealDonaldTrump consistently spews venom, conspiracies, hate and lies to his supporters. They are carrying out his wishes, and far too many Republican lawmakers have enabled and even encouraged this violent threat to our republic. Emboldened by an Electoral College system that creates an avenue for insurrection, instead of simply certifying the candidate with the most votes, this is an effort to violate the constitutional rights of every law-abiding American and the labor movement will not stand for it. Not today. Not ever.” "Due to Republican mob violence downtown, all @Safeway stores in DC will close at 4pm today," tweeted UFCW Local 400 Wednesday afternoon. "Associates scheduled between those hours will be paid but are not expected to work." “The Union is requesting that all members working downtown be evacuated immediately,” tweeted UNITE HERE 25, which represents hotel and restaurant workers. “Evacuations are already underway at a number of hotels.” 
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CLICK HERE for a document compiling the statements released by unions including: AFL-CIO; ACTORS' EQUITY; AFA; AFGE; ATU; Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW); IAM; IBEW; IFPTE; IUPAT (PAINTERS); North America’s Building Trades Unions’ (NABTU); NewsGuild-CWA; NNU; PRIDE AT WORK; UA (PLUMBERS); UAW; Union Veterans Council.
​Updated 1/7 at 7p; send statements to [email protected]