Brunswick Beacon, 05.30.24
Congressman David Rouzer is the poster boy for the proverb, “A half-truth is a whole lie.” In his latest email, Rouzer tells not one, but two dangerous half-truths.
Rouzer’s first half-truth says he proudly welcomes the statue of Billy Graham to represent NC in the Capitol. He doesn’t mention that Graham’s statue replaces that of notorious white supremacist Charles Aycock, which Rouzer voted to keep!
Aycock was NC’s governor (1901-1905) and a leader of the white supremacy campaigns of 1898 and 1900.
Aycock helped instigate the Wilmington Massacre of 1898, the only successful insurrection in American history. A mob of 2,000 whites, armed with rifles and a Gatling gun, set fire to black-owned businesses, overthrew the duly-elected integrated government, and murdered dozens. They were never punished!
Rouzer cannot plead ignorance: the insurrection took place in his district! Frank Bowers, Aycock’s descendant, petitioned Rouzer to shut down the Aycock Birthplace as an NC Historic Site. “His leadership role in the Wilmington Massacre of 1898 cannot be overlooked,” wrote Bowers. “It is clear that we need to end the celebration of a known white supremacist.” Rouzer didn’t care. In 2021, he and 119 other Republicans voted to keep Aycock’s statue on display.
Rouzer’s second half-truth salutes National Police Week, expressing “unwavering support for those who wear the badge.” Rouzer doesn’t mention that he voted to overturn the 2020 election, voted against a Bipartisan Commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection, and voted against enforcing its subpoenas. Most disgracefully, Rouzer went AWOL from the ceremony honoring Capitol police officers who fought and died to protect him from the mob he helped provoke but is too complicit to hold accountable.
Rouzer’s half-truths are dangerous lies because they conceal Rouzer’s record of supporting white supremacists and insurrectionists.
Nancy Briganti
Carolina Shores
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