The Texas Capitol was evacuated last night after someone posted a social media message about “the ongoing political situation” and called for shooting lawmakers, according to the Texas Department of Safety.
“In that message, the individual calls on others to go to the Capitol building and take action by shooting and killing those who will not allow lawmakers to leave,” the department said in a statement obtained by NBC affiliate WOAI and other outlets. It added that the department is working to identify the person who posted the threat.
Several Democratic lawmakers spent the night in the Capitol to protest the GOP requiring them to have security escorts to leave the building, which was a response to the Democrats fleeing the state for two weeks in order to block a vote on a GOP redistricting plan. The Democrats returned to Austin this week.
State Rep. Nicole Collier was the first lawmaker to stay overnight on Monday, and several members joined her on Tuesday.
Texas Democrats condemned the threat. Collier and Texas House Minority Leader Rep. Gene Wu said in a statement that “violence and threats have no place in our democratic process, and we unequivocally condemn any threats against public servants or law enforcement, regardless of political differences.”
“Our democracy thrives when citizens engage peacefully and passionately in the civic process, not through intimidation or violence,” they said.