Fire at New Mexico GOP office investigated as arson, ‘ICE = KKK’ graffiti found at scene
“We are deeply relieved that no one was harmed in what could have been a tragic and deadly attack.”
A fire broke out early Sunday morning at the entrance of a Republican Party office in New Mexico, and party officials are calling it arson.
Firefighters from Albuquerque Fire Rescue and Bernalillo County Fire Rescue responded to the scene on San Francisco Dr. NE at 5:56 a.m. They found an active fire when they arrived but were able to put it out within five minutes. The front entryway suffered fire damage, and smoke spread throughout the building. No injuries were reported.
Graffiti was found near the fire that read “ICE = KKK.”
Amy Barela, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, condemned the incident, saying, “We are deeply relieved that no one was harmed in what could have been a tragic and deadly attack. Those who resort to violence to undermine our state and nation must be held accountable, and our state leaders must reinforce through decisive action that these cowardly attacks will not be tolerated,” reports KOAT.
Barela also pointed out that the fire happened not long after Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez held a town hall in Santa Fe on Saturday.
Leger Fernandez responded, saying, “Political violence of any sort is unacceptable, including this attack. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Every American should be able to freely and safely participate in our democracy.”
She also pushed back against the Republican Party’s reaction to the incident, saying, “At my town hall, I spoke about love in action – about the importance of showing respect and listening. It is a ludicrous leap to twist encouraging democratic participation, calling your Representatives and showing up at town halls into an insinuation of violence. The Republican Party’s accusations are themselves dangerous and the ultimate disrespect to our political process. They distract from the real work of bringing people together to build a better future.”
An investigation is ongoing.