McConnell, Top State Elected Republican Leave Effigy Hanging KY Protesters Out to Dry As Worker Gets Fired

A man seen participating in the hanging of Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear’s effigy on Sunday at the Kentucky Capitol has been fired by his employer, a local automotive dealership. The business, Neil Huffman Automotive Group, said that “there is no place for hate or intolerance” at any of its dealerships.

A statement from Neil Huffman Auto Group on May 26, 2020. pic.twitter.com/SkElCl0KhH

— Huffman Chevy Buick GMC of Frankfort (@NeilHuffmanGM1) May 26, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the act, saying that he was a “strong defender of the First Amendment” but that the “action toward Governor Beshear is unacceptable. He also said that “There is no place for hate in Kentucky.” McConnell had not previously made any tweets regarding the protests.

.@SenateMajLdr: “As a strong defender of the First Amendment, I believe Americans have the right to peacefully protest. However, today’s action toward Governor Beshear is unacceptable. There is no place for hate in Kentucky.”

— Senator McConnell Press (@McConnellPress) May 25, 2020

The top state Republican, Attorney General Daniel Cameron also tweeted a response, saying that, “This is sickening, and I condemn it. We have to learn to disagree without threats of violence.” He had stood up against some of the restrictions placed by the Governor previously.

This is sickening, and I condemn it. We have to learn to disagree without threats of violence. https://t.co/14jN1BNAsS

— Attorney General Daniel Cameron (@kyoag) May 24, 2020

The words “Sic semper tyrannis” – a Latin phrase, meaning “Thus always to tyrants,” was also placed on the effigy and a local report attempted to establish a connection by saying that it was a phrase that was widely believed to have been yelled by John Wilkes Booth after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

The phrase is included on the Virginia flag as well as being that state’s motto, which is a fellow commonwealth state to Kentucky.