Two of Louisiana’s GOP congressional lawmakers cancelled or delayed plans to attend the Republican National Convention here this week in the wake of the shootings of three Baton Rouge police officers.
USA Today reports Rep. Garret Graves, who represents parts of Baton Rouge, says he will stay in the city, where he has met with community leaders and law enforcement officials.
“Home and family need to be the priority right now,’’ Graves tells USA Today in a phone interview. “We’ve been going all day and night. Everywhere you go, people are hurting.’’
Sen. Bill Cassidy, who is from Baton Rouge and who once represented the city as a U.S. representative, hadn’t decided whether he would join the convention as of Monday night. He was slated to attend, and his office says he wants to be there if he’s needed.
The convention in Cleveland would have been the first for Graves, who planned to attend a prayer service Monday night and other services today.
“This is a very sore and open wound right now,’’ he says. “We’re continuing to have discussions with folks about what is it that folks are thinking, feeling, wanting … We’re very concerned that this incident could be used to define our community. This is not Baton Rouge. This is not Louisiana.”
Louisiana delegates who did opt to attend the convention wore a somber look. Those at a Louisiana delegation breakfast Monday prayed for the three slain officers, their families and the city.
“This lawlessness, it’s got to stop,’’ says Tony Perkins, a delegate and president of the Family Research Council.
USA Today has the full story.
