Lawmakers want crackdown on threatening social media posts
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SPRAGUE, CT (WFSB) — State lawmakers called for change on Tuesday after sexist and violent comments were made toward two women who are running for reelection.
The comments were all made on Facebook and were aimed at state Sen. Cathy Osten and New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart.
Tuesday, both Democrats and Republicans demanded action.
They were at the Sprague Public Library to discuss the issue.
“Quite frankly, I am a little overwhelmed because normally most of you don’t come to this end of this state,” Osten said.
What is concerning for many people is that some of the comments were made by politicians who are also running for office and former politicians.
Now, law enforcement is getting involved, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff.
Tuesday morning, some lawmakers will be coming to the defense of Osten.
The threats against her came following allegations that she may have damaged someone’s door while campaigning.
The comments were posted on a Connecticut Republican Party Facebook page and included typos.
“It’s true that to our knowledge these comments didn’t come from anyone with an official position with the Republican Party, but the commens were posted on the Republican Party’s Facebook page,” Looney said.
In one, a man threatened to shoot Osten.
In another, a person wrote “I would have pulled her out of that car and knocked her out.”
The comments were since deleted, according to state GOP party chair J.R. Romano.
Tuesday morning, state Republicans issued a statement about the comments.
“It’s outrageous that a post about Cathy Osten driving on someone’s lawn would generate such an over-the-top and disappointing response,” Romano said. “These posts are from random people not connected to the Republican Party. Unfortunately, it demonstrates a sad and tragic part of social media.”
Romano also pointed out that the comments in this case were not made by any elected leaders.
Stewart was also recently the target of sexist and profane comments.
A comment against her by a former finance chair for Connecticut Democrats told her to “go easy on the pasta.”
In another, she was called a phrase used to describe prostitutes.
“Everybody agreed that we need to disassociate ourselves from him, that we no longer support him as a candidate for City Council,” said Bill Shortell, New Britain DTC chair.
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