IREHR in Pittsburgh City Paper: “Report: Western Pa. politicians among hundreds of state legislators to join far-right Facebook groups” – May 19, 2022

IREHR’s report, Breaching the Mainstream, was cited in the Pittsburgh City Paper.

Kira Lerner, Democratic Reporter, writes “The report shows that 40 Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers, who hold majorities in the state House and Senate, joined such groups, which is nearly 16% of the membership of the 253-member General Assembly.”

Lerner continues “In Western Pa., the map shows Daryl Metcalfe (R-Cranberry) as a member of multiple groups including “Pennsylvanians Against Excessive Quarantine” and “TEA Party United – Let’s Organize!”, state Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Alleppo) belonging to groups including “Free PA & Stronger Future,” and Pa. state Rep. and current GOP Lt. Gov. candidate Carrie DelRosso (R-Oakmont) as a member of “AVSD against Mask Mandates” and “Small businesses #TAKEBACKCONTROL.””

IREHR’s President, Devin Burghart, was quoted by the Pittsburgh City Paper;

“It’s a nationwide phenomenon,” Burghart said. “Far too often, people think of this activity as being relegated to the deep South or the Pacific Northwest, but there are legislators in all 50 states who have joined these different Far-Right Facebook groups.”

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