In Tempe, near Phoenix, the windows of a Democratic HQ bear the scars of the gunshots that targeted it. These shootings raise fears of political violence in the run-up to the election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
At first glance, the place seems uneventful. The anonymous premises overlook the exterior of a shopping center in the suburbs of Phoenix, the capital of Arizona (United States). But as we approach, six bullet holes appear on the windows. Inside, we see “Arizona for Harris” and “Kamala” signs still hanging on the walls. In Tempe, the Democratic presidential campaign office has come under fire three times in recent weeks. It closed its doors over fears of further attacks, as reported The Arizona Republic Friday October 11. Tables, chairs… Everything remained as it was.
The gunfire only caused material damage, but it has raised fears of political violence. Donald Trump himself has been the target of assassination attempts in recent months. The race for the White House has been marked for months by extreme polarization and excessive speeches. The outcome of the vote, which pits the former Republican president against Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris, is uncertain. Even more so in Arizona, one of the seven “Swing States”, these undecided states which could swing the election to one camp or the other. An uncertainty which further strains the political climate.
The Democratic office in Tempe was first the target of pellet or ball gun bullets on September 16, then of live ammunition a week later, reports ABC News. The last shootings took place shortly after midnight on October 6, according to police. For Janice, who works nearby, the facts can be explained by “anger over the election”. “I didn’t think this kind of thing could happen here”slips his colleague. “It’s scary. There’s a daycare nearby.”adds Hillary, owner of the neighboring hairdressing school. “It’s demoralizing if it’s political reasons”agrees Charlie, an employee, who prefers to believe in a settling of scores, as the presence of the Democratic team in the shopping center is recent and discreet.
Since these shootings, the Democratic campaign teams have dispersed throughout Tempe and are now working in secret locations, specifies Democratic candidate Lauren Kuby, campaigning in this constituency for a seat in the Arizona Senate. The 67-year-old American does not hide her concern: “I was very afraid for the team, for the young people. For some, this is their first campaign.” The candidate is convinced, this campaign “is more violent”, the fault of a political discourse which “split”. “I can’t believe our country has come to this”she laments.
“If it happens here, then it can happen anywhere.”
Lauren Kurby, Democratic candidate in Tempeat franceinfo
Lauren Kuby herself has been threatened on several occasions. “I shared your address and phone with a group of illegal aliens, I pay for their food and bus tickets so they can come and rob you”, we read in one of the three messages she received. Another, of extreme violence, evokes a gang rape.
For the candidate, a blog text accusing her of being “for open borders” et “for the vote of undocumented immigrants” is at the origin of this volley of threats and insults. “They say I'm a radical socialist”, she points. On social networks, Republican Roxana Holzapfel, her competitor for this local election, believes that Lauren Kuby is “too extreme” and claims that she defends “abortion up to birth”. “She triggers these threats with the comments she made”accuses his Democratic rival. Contacted, Roxana Holzapfel did not respond to our requests.
Jon Ryder, the executive director of the Democratic Party in Maricopa County, notes the sad character “commun” threats received by email or telephone, “even more during an election”. If he prefers to avoid going into details, the threats received by Lauren Kuby seem far from being an exception.
Republican officials in the region have themselves been targeted in recent years, after rejecting baseless accusations of fraud surrounding the 2020 presidential election. One notably received several death threats, notes CNN. Another, although a fervent supporter of Donald Trump four years ago, was also intimidated, reports CBS News.
This year 2020 remains sadly etched in the memories of the local team. Over the summer, the Democratic Party office was burned and completely destroyed in Phoenix, reports Jon Ryder. “It was sickening. We never imagined this.” “I was shocked and appalled”appuie son adjoint Eric Limbs.
For the two Democratic leaders, “there have always been some threats”but tensions took on another dimension during the 2010s. Jon Ryder calls into question the rhetoric of the conservative Tea Party movement, during the presidency of Barack Obama, then that of Donald Trump and his most radical supporters. “The level of violence has increased largely because of the Maga movement [l’acronyme du slogan “Make America Great Again” de Donald Trump]“, he castigates, denouncing “lies that radicalize people”. When contacted, several Republican candidates in the Phoenix and Tempe area did not respond to our questions.
“Donald Trump talks about Democrats as enemies within. This rhetoric can lead people who are less committed to reality to do very serious things.”
Jon Ryder, Phoenix Democratic Party officialat franceinfo
In Phoenix, the Democrats' new headquarters is now one office among others, the address of which must remain secret. “There were times in the past where people would just come and offer to volunteer. We can't do that anymore.”deplores Jon Ryder. Measures are also taken to protect candidates and the citizens involved alongside them. “We constantly talk to them about security”explains Gregory Whitten, Democratic candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives. “We tell them that if something doesn't seem safe, don't do it. And door-to-door knocking always happens in pairs.” The candidate is well aware of the risks, for his teams as well as for himself. “I have a security system at home, I'm always on the go with someone. I never thought I would have concerns about this, but they are there.”
In Tempe, the investigation continues into the shootings which targeted the Democratic office. A man was arrested in connection with these facts, local police announced on October 22, reports AZ Family. He had placed bags of white powder around political signs, on which one could read: “The Democrats are lying”, “Democrats kill Jews” et “Never Harris”. The day after his arrest, 120 firearms were seized from his home, including machine guns, as well as 250,000 rounds of ammunition, specifies Arizona Republic. The address of the Democratic office appeared in his Google search history, and his Facebook page had numerous posts opposing the Democrats. For prosecutor Neha Bhatia, the authorities believe that “this person was preparing an act which [aurait fait] many victims.
