State Officials Condemn Threat Of Violence Against Legislators Emilia And Vernon Sykes!

FEATURED PHOTO: OHIO SENATOR VERNON SYKES D-28TH DISTRICT

OHIO SENATOR VERNON SYKES AND DAUGHTER OHIO REPRESENTATIVE EMILIA SYKES

MSN.com, By Emily Mill-THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, Posted May 28th 2020

State officials on Tuesday condemned threats of violence made over the weekend against father-and-daughter Akron legislators state Senator Vernon Sykes and Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes.

Governor Mike DeWine issued a statement Tuesday evening saying he was “very disturbed” to learn of the threats.

“It is wrong. It is reprehensible, and it is unconscionable to threaten someone with violence for doing the job they were elected to do,” he said. “Simply put: hatred has no place in Ohio, and violence will not be tolerated.”

Details about the threats were not immediately clear. Emilia Sykes did not immediately reply to a message left by the Beacon Journal.

In a joint statement Tuesday evening, Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) and Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) said the threat related directly to the performance of their duties as public officials.

“We condemn any threats of physical harm, or any other harm, against these public servants or any other Ohioans. Let us be absolutely clear: it is never acceptable to intimidate or threaten a public official, and it is a felony to do so. We have asked law enforcement to fully investigate this occurrence and prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” the statement reads. “We ask all Ohioans to join us in calling for civility and compassion, while condemning the hatred that seeks to divide us.”

Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) was elected to the seat representing Ohio’s 34th House district that her father, Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), held for years in 2014, as he was term-limited. Vernon Sykes was elected to represent Ohio’s 28th Senate district in 2016.