Cunningham Refuses to Condemn Violence & Destruction of Property | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH, N.C.     While North Carolina cities endured riots this past weekend, career politician and lifelong political opportunist Cal Cunningham refused to condemn the violence and the destruction of property that came with them. Instead, Cunningham posted a video on twitter after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday egging on the protesters and said nothing about the need to keep the demonstrations peaceful.

    Cunningham's video post coincided with the looting of the minority-owned Stop and Shop convenience store in Raleigh where the owner said in response, "I've been working for seven years saving my money and that's what happened to me. I tried to open it for the community, helping people, be fair prices, make friends, and they are really just taking advantage of a peaceful protest and just turn into some gang members."

    Cunningham's approach to the weekend's events stood in stark contrast to Senator Tillis', who condemned "violent rioting and the destruction of property," calling it "completely unacceptable and a disservice to the Floyd family and their pursuit of justice."

    "George Floyd and his family deserve justice and every American has the right to peacefully protest, but the actions we've seen over this past weekend were far from peaceful," said NCGOP spokesman Tim Wigginton. "Our state needs unity, not violent riots that destroy property and put North Carolinians in harm's way. The number one job of our elected officials is to ensure the safety and security of the people they represent, and by turning a blind eye to the violence and destruction that occurred over the past weekend in order to pander to his fringe base, Cal Cunningham showed he is not fit to serve in the U.S. Senate."

• Contact: Tim Wigginton
•     communications@ncgop.org