In Unmasked: Susan Akland's non-apology apology about storming the Minnesota state capitol , Unmasked, part 2: letters condemning Akland's Storm the Capitol speech poured into Free Press, and Correcting the timeline on a report about Stop The Steal; Akland constituents talk back
we've shared the district reaction to the remarks made by first-term legislator Susan Akland, R-St. Peter, at the Minnesota state capitol Stop the Storm rally.
We looked at Trey Mewes' article in the Mankato Free Press, St. Peter freshman lawmaker regrets rally controversy, in which Mewes reported these statements from Akland:
State Rep. Susan Akland faced her first political controversy in only her second day in office after she made an impromptu appearance Wednesday at a conservative rally at the state Capitol.
Akland, R-St. Peter, said Saturday her appearance and speech at the rally were taken out of context after the Star Tribune reported part of her speech to rallygoers where she “told the crowd she was happy to see them unmasked.”
“Our actions matter and our words matter,” she said. “And I regret that my attendance at the event is viewed as furthering division. That was not my intent and not the leader that I plan to be for my district.” . . ,
Critics jumped on the Star Tribune’s reporting that Akland told the crowd she was happy to see them unmasked, as Akland is a retired nurse married to a doctor. While Akland said she didn’t remember exactly what she told the crowd, she said that comment was taken out of context as she meant she was happy to see so many people at the rally.
“The statement was not a call to defy masks or defy masking guidelines,” she said. . . .
That text has been scrutinized by Star Tribune reporters on twitter. Let's take a look at the case they made.
First, a press statement from the Minnesota House majority caucus leadership was shared:
New this morning: House DFL leadership calling for six GOP state House members who participated in Jan. 6 "Storm the Capitol" rally "to be held accountable if they fail to denounce threats made against public servants and our democratic process." pic.twitter.com/DgF8S0J9td
— Stephen Montemayor (@smontemayor) January 11, 2021
After sharing the statment, Stephen Montemayer looked at Akland's reaction to his article in the Star Tribune:
In @Mankatonews interview, one of the participants, newly elected Rep. Susan Akland said "I regret that my attendance at the event is viewed as furthering division" but accused me of taking her statements out of context. (1/2)
— Stephen Montemayor (@smontemayor) January 11, 2021
And what he wrote:
I wrote that Akland "told the crowd she was happy to see them unmasked."
— Stephen Montemayor (@smontemayor) January 11, 2021
(Checks recording)
"I had my mask on cause it’s keeping my face warm," Akland told crowd as she began her speech. "But I’m glad you don’t have yours.”
Soon, Star Tribune videographer Mark Vancleave replied with the video of her remarks:
*Roll tape 📼📼📼* pic.twitter.com/Z9LLNj4kNr
— Mark Vancleave 🎥+📰=🎉 (@MDVancleave) January 11, 2021
Akland told the Mankato Free Press "she didn’t remember exactly what she told the crowd..." but it's clear the Star Tribune didn't take her remarks out context.
Related posts:
- Unmasked: Susan Akland's non-apology apology about storming the Minnesota state capitol
- Correcting the timeline on a report about Stop The Steal; Akland constituents talk back
- Tim Miller emails House colleagues, staff to incorrectly argue masks aren’t effective
- Minnesota House sedition faction reply to Protest and Dissent letter, defend attack on state voters
- Couldn't get to DC: Akland, Drazkowski, Franson, Gruenhagen and Lucero storm MN state capitol
- From the Journal of the House: Eight members protest & dissent those who signed Paxton letter
Video still: State representative Susan Akland speaking at the Storm the Capitol Minnesota rally on Wednesday, January 6. Still from Strib's Mark Vancleave video tweet.
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