LI Protest Planned To Demand Rep. Zeldin's Expulsion

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Constituents "infuriated" with Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin have planned a protest Monday to demand his expulsion after the riots at the U.S. Capitol and his vote to object to the certification of Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden.

The protest will be held outside Zeldin's Patchogue office on Monday at 3 p.m. Residents from the East End and other areas in Suffolk County are slated to attend, according to organizer Lisa Votino of Southampton.

Suffolk Progressives founder Shoshana Hershkowitz said people are angered by Zeldin's rhetoric.

“Congressman Zeldin, along with the other seditionists, attempted to subvert the will of the people in his actions," Hershkowitz said. "He looked to overturn a free and fair election that was decided by the American people, because he didn’t like the result. This is not how democracy works. This is not appropriate behavior from elected officials who have sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States.”

Others have called Zeldin and Trump-supporting Republicans complicit in the deadly riots at the Capitol.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri) said she will introduce a resolution Monday to "expel the members of Congress who tried to overturn the election and incited a white supremacist coup attempt that has left people dead. They have violated the 14th amendment. We can't have unity without accountability."

Zeldin has denounced the violent rioters at the Capitol and pointed to Democrats in previous presidential elections who have objected to the certification of votes.

"It's an incredible double standard when suddenly, January 6 objections used by Democrats to object to every GOP presidential win in the past generation is now treason," Zeldin said. "Those who committed acts of violence in the Capitol must be held accountable. Those eager to use Wednesday to settle political scores, though, are only dividing our country more."

Zeldin tweeted more statements Monday:

A Change.org constituent petition calling for Zeldin's expulsion garnered more than 1,500 signatures Monday. The New York State Democratic Committee also started a petition demanding he resign.

Jay S. Jacobs, chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, called on Zeldin and Republican congressional Reps. Chris Jacobs, Nicole Malliotakis and Elise Stefanik to resign "for their complicity in Wednesday's deadly insurrection on the U.S. Capitol."

After Congress certified Biden's presidential victory, Zeldin called for a peaceful transition of power and for the nation to come together.