Police are investigating a violent photo posted to social media that showed U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut decapitated by a statue of Christopher Columbus this week. It's the second time a U.S. Representative from Connecticut has been targeted by online extremists in less than 48 hours.
DeLauro is a Democrat, who also supported the removal of the Columbus statue from Wooster Square in New Haven. She appeared at the city's first Italian Heritage Day celebration, where the statue once stood, on Monday.
That same day, a disturbing photoshopped image of that former statue in Wooster Square spread on social media. DeLauro called the altered photo, which showed Columbus appearing to hold her servered head, an incitement to violence.
“This act is part of the culture of violence being fostered by President Trump. Witness Michigan and Virginia," DeLauro said of the alleged planned kidnapping of two governors by domestic terrorists, "These threats and hate in all its forms should be condemned by all, regardless of political party.”
She praised Facebook and Twitter for quickly removing the photo.
“This abhorrent photo depicts the beheading of a public official," DeLauro said. "I hope they respond with this speed to every violent image given oxygen on these platforms.”
DeLauro is the second U.S. Representative from Connecticut targeted by online extremists in less than 48 hours. Democratic Congresswoman Jahana Hayes of Connecticut's 5th district was the target of attacks during a Zoom call with residents of Newtown earlier this week. Trolls spewed racial slurs and pro-Trump messages.
