State Senator Jay Morris says he and his staff received multiple death threats for something he never said. The executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Dadrius Lanus says Morris used a racial slur during last Friday’s racially charged debate over a new Congressional map. Morris says the untrue allegation led to 150 nasty voice mails for his legislative assistant to hear.
“She could only listen to 10; they were so vile and outrageous and saying all these nasty things, all because of the social media that has drummed up and the statement put out by the Louisiana Democratic Party,” Morris said.
Morris says news outlets support his story that he did not use the word “Boy” when he told Lanus, a Black Man, to “Shut Up.”
The Republican from West Monroe says one of the voicemails left at his legislative office threatened to carry out a mass shooting at his office.
“I’d readily quit this job, rather than have one hair hurt on any member of my family,” Morris said.
Morris blames the leaders at the Louisiana Democratic Party of using lies to generate hate.
“I’ve got lots of friends that are Democrats. I’m not castigating all Democrats. I’m castigating the leadership who should know better,” Morris noted.
Lanus says Morris told him, a Black man, to shut up boy. Morris admits to telling the crowd behind him to shut up because they were distracting him while he was answering questions from the committee.
State Police is investigating the threats.
Attorney General Liz Murrill issued this statement:
“The political process is designed to encourage participation and debate and to provide a forum for people to be heard. There is absolutely no place for violence or threats in this process. Senator Jay Morris has been intentionally misquoted by individuals with their own motives, but the record is not ambiguous. The irresponsible, intentional misquoting of Sen. Morris triggered death threats, which now threaten the security of his family and staff, as well as a State Senator. This is completely unacceptable, and every member of the Senate and House should condemn it because it ultimately threatens them too. Things can get heated and tempers may flare, but we all have a responsibility to make sure they do not cross unacceptable boundaries. We can disagree while still treating one another with respect and following the law.” – Attorney General Liz Murrill
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