The Pennsylvania congresswoman who was the victim of a Wednesday carjacking has a long history of advocating for far-left “criminal justice reform” policies.
“I’m coming right now from a hearing on criminal justice reform and what we can do to address some of these issues of mass incarceration, which have, you know, plagued our society and overtaxed our prisons over the last couple decades,” Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05) said in March of 2020.
She also implied in 2019 that the criminal justice system is racist.
“For far too long, our criminal justice system has disproportionately impacted low-income communities and people of color,” she said. “Thank you [Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office] for taking the time to meet with me to discuss criminal justice reform legislation and how we can improve our juvenile justice system.”
For far too long, our criminal justice system has disproportionately impacted low-income communities and people of color. Thank you @philadao for taking the time to meet with me to discuss criminal justice reform legislation and how we can improve our juvenile justice system. pic.twitter.com/DbHtpu8Vju
— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) March 15, 2019
In the wake of the death of George Floyd, she slammed police.
“We have seen too many lives taken and communities devastated by police brutality and racial profiling. Action is long overdue,” she said. [House Democrats] are fighting for REAL reform in our country’s police departments.”
We have seen too many lives taken and communities devastated by police brutality and racial profiling. Action is long overdue. @HouseDemocrats are fighting for REAL reform in our country’s police departments. #JusticeInPolicing pic.twitter.com/IS9n6LZXCg
— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) June 8, 2020
She also co-sponsored a bill called The Mental Health Justice act, described as a way for Congress “to make it easier for state and local governments to defund the police by instead funding mental health services and empowering them to respond to emergency calls instead of armed officers.”
According to reports, two black males carjacked Scanlon in broad daylight on Philadelphia’s south side Wednesday.
The Delaware State Police (DSP), involved in capturing the five suspects, announced Thursday that four of the suspects were juveniles.
The fifth is 19-year-old Josiah Brown.
“The investigation determined Josiah Brown was involved in the armed carjacking in Philadelphia,” DSP said. “He was turned over to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for formal charging. The stolen vehicle was towed to Delaware State Police Troop 2 and will be recovered by the Philadelphia Police Department.”
Scanlon thanked the Philadelphia Police Department for their assistance.
“Wednesday afternoon, at around 2:45 p.m., Congresswoman Scanlon was carjacked at gunpoint in FDR Park following a meeting at that location,” her office said in a statement. “The Congresswoman was physically unharmed. She thanks the Philadelphia Police Department for their swift response, and appreciates the efforts of both the Sergeant at Arms in D.C. and her local police department for coordinating with Philly PD to ensure her continued safety.”
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
