Democrats Pray on Baseball Field for Republican Colleagues After Shooting

Republican congressman recovering after shooting

democrats praying

The shooting at Republican lawmakers on an Alexandria, Virginia baseball field brought prayers and support from the Democrats who oppose them politically — but rallied to them in a time of crisis.

A gunman opened fire on Wednesday at the Congressional Republicans’ baseball practice, wounding House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and four others. Democrats and Republicans were preparing to face off for a charity baseball game.

Rep. Ruben J. Kihuen of Nevada tweeted a photo of his Democratic colleagues with heads bowed in prayer. The photo caption reads, “.@HouseDemocrats praying for our @HouseGOP @SenateGOP baseball colleagues after hearing about the horrific shooting.”

The Democratic politicians were practicing at a different field at the time of the shooting.

Shooter James T. Hodgkinson, who was killed by police, had written anti-Republican tirades and expressed his support for Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders. On Wednesday, Sanders condemned the violence in a speech and on Twitter.

“I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society,” the former Democratic presidential nominee wrote.

Democrats and Republicans plan to play the charity game on Thursday in defiance of the violence. They will meet on Thursday at Nationals Park.

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