The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
State senator facing violent Facebook threats
SPRAGUE — Senate Democrats and Senate Republican leader Len Fasano swiftly condemned Facebook comments threatening violence against Sen. Cathy Osten.
Osten is running for reelection as first selectman in her hometown of Sprague and the comments were posted on the Connecticut Republicans’ Facebook page.
At a news conference outside the Sprague Public Library, Senate President Martin Looney, DNew Haven, said “a line is crossed when there is something that moves into an area of a threat.”
A commenter threatened to “shot her.” The comment was attached to a post of a photo of tire tracks on a lawn that the person posting alleges were made by Osten.
Another commenter said “I would have pulled her out that car and knocked her out. Then called the cops and new stations — I do A LOT of work to my lawn to keep it looking nice, screw that.”
J.R. Romano, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, said the comments have been deleted, but he didn’t think to call police.
“It’s outrageous that a post about Cathy Osten driving on someone’s lawn would generate such an over the top and disappointing response,” Romano said.
“These posts are from random people not connected to the Republican Party. Unfortunately, it demonstrates a sad and tragic part social media.”
Republican Senate leader Len Fasano said he agrees with Looney and Senate
“It’s outrageous that a post about Cathy Osten driving on someone’s lawn would generate such an over the top and disappointing response.” J.R. Romano
Connecticut Republican Party chairman
Majority Leader Bob Duff about the importance of speaking out against hate.
“There is a serious problem on social media that has nothing to do with political parties,” Fasano said. “Far too many people hide behind their keyboard and write vicious, hurtful and despicable comments about people on social media. Sometimes Republicans are targeted.
Sometimes Democrats are. It is always unacceptable behavior. Social media allows people to speak their mind, but it should never allow people to make threatening statements.”
Senate Democrats reported the comments to state Capitol Police and the State Police.
Looney said this has nothing to do with partisan politics.