Congressman Anthony Brown: "If Not For Our Journalists, Where Would Our Democracy Be?"

Statement

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) released the following statement on the three-year anniversary of the Capital Gazette shooting and the dedication of a memorial in Newman Park in Annapolis honoring the life and legacies of the five individuals who were lost that day:

"On June 28, 2018, the Capital Gazette newsroom was attacked by a man who deliberately wanted to harm members of the press. Five people died. Three years later, the tragic deaths of Wendi Winters, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Gerald Fischman and Rebecca Smith have not been forgotten, but rather will be memorialized this week at the Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial in Annapolis. This memorial seeks to not only honor those we lost on that tragic day but will be designed around the theme, "Freedom of the Press" during a time when that freedom is under attack.

"Those five individuals died choosing to cover the important stories in our communities. Their work, and the work of their colleagues at the Capital and around our country is still vital to our democracy. Particularly as the press continues to face threats from misinformation, consolidation, and even from some members of our own government.

"Today, as a new memorial is dedicated, we're reminded of the lives they led, the legacies they leave behind and the work ahead to ensure a free and independent press continues to cover our communities and hold those in power accountable. Because if not for our journalists, where would our democracy be?"

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