![Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) [Paul Vernon / Associated Press]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/823a9ef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3120x2513+0+0/resize/840x676!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fimages%2Fnews%2Fnpr%2F2020%2F05%2F862955050_801710741.jpg)
Ohio leaders are condemning threats of violence made against Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes and her father, state Sen. Vernon Sykes, last weekend.
Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement it is "reprehensible" to threaten an elected official for doing their job, and that hatred and violence will not be tolerated.
"I was very disturbed to learn that threats of violence were made over the weekend against Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes and State Senator Vernon Sykes," DeWine said. "It is wrong. It is reprehensible and it is unconscionable to threaten someone with violence for doing the job they were elected to do."
Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) and Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) issued a joint statement that also condemned the threats, adding that it’s a felony to threaten public officials.
Republican Ohio Senate President @LarryObhof and Minority Leader @KennyYuko issue join statement condemning threats against @DrVernonSykes and his daughter House Minority Leader @EmiliaSykesOH, saying it’s a felony to threaten public officials pic.twitter.com/HGsCJH0c1e
— Karen Kasler (@karenkasler) May 26, 2020
Last week, Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) critizied the state for not doing enough to address the disproportionate effect COVID-19 is having on African Americans. She's also criticized Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) for health conditions inside the chamber.
Householder did not release a statement about the threats made against Sykes.
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