The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) announced that the entryway to its headquarters was targeted in what is believed to be an act of arson.
“Early this morning, the entryway of the Republican Party of New Mexico’s headquarters in Albuquerque was destroyed in a deliberate act of arson which also included spray painting the words ‘ICE=KKK,'” the RPNM announced on Sunday. “This horrific attack, fueled by hatred and intolerance, is a direct assault on our values, freedoms, and our right to political expression.”
Republican Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela said in a statement that the party is “deeply relieved that no one was harmed in what could have been a tragic and deadly attack.”
“We will not allow New Mexico’s broken criminal justice system to dilute the seriousness of this attack. The Republican Party of New Mexico will not be silenced. We will emerge from this stronger, more united, and more determined to fight for the people of New Mexico and the future of our country,” Barela added. “Let us not forget: it was the Democrat Party that once supported the formation of the KKK, pushed Jim Crow laws, and defended slavery. Today, we see the same dangerous tendencies play out in new forms—attempts to suppress free speech, silence dissent, and use fear to control the political narrative.”
Democrat Mayor Tim Keller issued a statement on the fire, saying that “arson is a violent and cowardly act that has no place in our city.”
“Politically motivated crimes of any kind are unacceptable, and I am grateful to our fire department for their swift response,” he said. “This incident is being investigated at the federal level, and I urge anyone with information to report it immediately.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), federal agents, and local law enforcement are investigating the matter.
