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Caught Our Eye

Congress joins Ferguson debate online

Posted by Jenna Ebersole on Dec. 1, 2014

As protesters took to the streets nationwide and in Ferguson, Mo., last week, Congress reacted on Twitter to the grand jury announcement.

Members of Congress and their staff have publicly tweeted at least 500 times about "Ferguson" since last Monday, commenting on word that Officer Darren Wilson will not face charges for teenager Michael Brown's death. A sampler from congressional staff:

- Donny Ferguson, press secretary for Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas):

"Protestors are blocking bridges as payback for #Ferguson. You know, the same thing liberals wanted Chris Christie imprisoned for." Nov. 25 at 9:47 p.m.

"Does this make Chris Christie the father of the Ferguson protest movement?" Nov. 30 at 3:43 p.m.

- Narda J. Terrones, constituent services representative and outreach coordinator for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas):

"One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for... white males only... #DarrenWilson #Ferguson #FergusonDecision #MikeBrown #justice" Nov. 24, at 9:59 p.m.

- Jerry Ruskowski, systems administrator and assistant operations manager for Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Matt Stoller, senior policy adviser for Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), both tweeted photos apparently from the scene of the D.C. protest.

"And now it's time for the protest class picture. #Ferguson" Stoller captioned a photo as rows of protesters lined a stairway.  Nov. 25 at 9:14 p.m.

- M'Shai Dash, communications assistant for Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.):

"Meanwhile, North Korea's over there like, 'Stay outta our sh** 'til you fix your own.' Smh. #Ferguson #NorthKorea" Nov. 25 at 1:23 p.m.

- Michael Detwiler, field representative for Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.):

"GOV 101 - DA 101 - Why didn't anyone say 'Men, announcing the findings from the grand jury at 8 pm' is a bad idea? #Ferguson" Nov. 25 at 10:16 a.m.

- Elizabeth Lauten, now-resigned communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.):

"Put every idiot in Ferguson in jail tonight. This behavior is absolutely unacceptable. Don't care how mad you are- worst way to make a point" Nov. 25 at 1:33 a.m. 

- Alyssa Farah, communications director for Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.):

"It may be time to step away from your keyboard and remember that regardless of tonight's decision, an 18-year-old kid is dead. #Ferguson" Nov. 24 at 10:08 p.m.