Metro East Sun

Amid escalating tensions surrounding the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and subsequent protests, 13th Congressional District candidate Joshua Loyd said that while he supports free speech, rioting and violence must be condemned.

Recent unrest has included violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement outside the United Center.

“Our law enforcement are there to protect the community and ensure the peace of the convention throughout the week,” Loyd told the Metro East Sun. “While I support free speech, the destruction of property is not free speech and is instead a form of rioting mischief we must not condone. We are free to have our beliefs and our religion until it becomes violent.”

The protests, which have drawn significant attention, saw some participants displaying flags supporting Hamas and jihad, and making anti-Christian remarks, according to independent journalist Andy Ngo. 

Ngo’s reports included videos of rioters breaching fencing around the convention and engaging in disorderly conduct inside.

On the second day of the convention Antifa members were caught on film roughing up a man opposed to their burning of the American flag, a common sight outside the convention. Three Antifa members were also stopped by police after trying to infiltrate a nearby pro-Israel protest. 

Loyd emphasized his disapproval of the violent tactics used by some protesters. 

“Destruction, intimidation and chaos are not a political tool,” he asserted. “We must find ways to express our disagreements without resorting to violence and property damage.”

Speaking on the current political climate, Loyd argued that the Democratic leadership is disconnected from the struggles faced by average Americans. 

“The left’s political class is out of touch with the everyday American,” he said. “They are not realizing that more union and working-class Americans are suffering under Democratic leadership than ever before. When fuel is doubled, groceries barely last the week, and housing is out of control, then yes, the left's political class is very much out of touch.” 

Loyd also criticized the Democratic nomination of Kamala Harris for President, accusing the left of denying millions of Americans their voice. 

“The left also denied over 14 million Americans their voice when they appointed Kamala instead of Biden,” he said. “This is a travesty and does not align with their narrative of democracy; it’s a class of ruling elites telling their constituents what is best for them and to get out of the way. They are segregating their caucuses just as if it was the Jim Crow era.”

On the subject of media coverage, Loyd expressed concern about perceived bias and referred to "Fahrenheit 451," Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel about censorship.

“The media has distorted rhetoric when it comes to Democrats vs Republicans and seems to be aligning more and more with the book Fahrenheit 451,” he said. 

Loyd also emphasized the need for unity and dialogue amidst the current political division. 

“Your voice matters, your vote matters, your opinion matters, your beliefs matter, you matter,” he said. “The violence and division need to stop and we must start having a dialogue of how to resolve issues, not create them. Whether you are left or right on the political spectrum, we are all Americans who need to start acting like it rather than sowing the fields with strife.”

In contrast, President Joe Biden acknowledged the protesters' grievances in his DNC speech on Aug. 20. 

“Those protesters out in the street, they have a point,” Biden said. 

Biden’s remarks have drawn scrutiny from figures like Ngo, who questioned the appropriateness of what the President said, given the nature of the protests.

“Joe Biden in his DNC speech said the protesters outside ‘have a point.’ I’m not sure what point he is referring to considering they expressed support for terrorism, terrorist groups, and political violence,” Ngo said on X. “And they tried to storm the convention.”

Loyd, a graduate from West Point, has served as a precinct committeeman and has worked on several campaigns in Southern Illinois. 

He will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) in the Nov. general election.

The 13th Congressional District includes all of Macoupin County, and sections of Champaign, Macon, Madison, Piatt, Sangamon, and St. Clair Counties including the communities of Champaign, Decatur, Springfield and Alton.