June 8, 2020

WOBURN -- The movement on the left to "defund the police" will have the opposite effect when it comes to halting violence in our cities, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons said Monday.

Lyons said he watched video over the weekend showing Minneapolis Democrat Mayor Jacob Frey's attempt to reason with protesters, only to be shouted down and subsequently shunned. The Minneapolis City Council later pledged to "dismantle" the city's police department.

The question now is whether Massachusetts Democrats will cave to the same radical demands.

"The number-one reason why we haven't seen a repeat of the violence that happened here last Sunday night in Boston is because of an increased presence of law-and-order," Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons said.

"Radical leftists have no interest in working with police to enact reforms," said Lyons. "Their goal is to abolish police departments wholesale, as we've found out in Minneapolis.

"Criticize or question any absurd demand, and they will instantly try to smear you as a racist. That's how these left-wing groups operate."

Added Lyons:

"The Massachusetts Republican Party supports the right to peacefully assemble, and at the same time recognizes Massachusetts police departments are crucial to maintaining peace and order."