Frank Riggs: “it is rather unusual circumstances that bring me to the floor to address my colleagues during special orders, but I…”

“it is rather unusual circumstances that bring me to the floor to address my colleagues during special orders, but I really feel compelled to make this statement because of some very, I think, one-sided, misleading reports that have appeared in the media recently regarding a protest that occurred at my district office in Eureka, CA, on October 16. On that day, over 60 protesters stormed my office. They trespassed my office. They threatened, they actually accosted and assaulted my two employees working in the office at the time, both female employees, wonderful, dedicated employees by the names of Julie Rogers and Ronnie Pelligrini, who felt genuinely threatened and frightened for their safety when this incident began. These protesters, however, four of whom were subsequently arrested, have now gone to the media, along with their criminal defense attorneys, claiming that they were the victims of improper police conduct or inappropriate use of force by law enforcement. So I want to explain exactly what transpired in my office.”