Tell Ramaswamy and Trump: Condemn the Attack on Amy Acton

An armed man reportedly charged toward Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair on Sunday afternoon, injuring multiple people before law enforcement intervened.

The silence from the Republican leaders most closely tied to this race has been deafening. Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign issued a weak statement through a spokesperson. And Donald Trump, who has endorsed Ramaswamy and remains the most influential Republican in the country, has so far remained silent.

That matters because the lies started almost immediately. Right-wing conspiracy theorists and online commenters rushed to cast doubt on the attack, downplay what happened, or turn violence into another partisan weapon. That is dangerous. When public figures stay vague or silent, conspiracy theories and lies fill the vacuum.

Tell Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump: Personally and forcefully condemn the attack on Amy Acton and reject conspiracy theory lies minimizing or denying political violence.

This kind of political violence has no place in Ohio, no place in our elections, and no place in our democracy. Candidates should be able to meet voters without fearing threats, intimidation, or armed attacks. Volunteers and supporters should be able to participate in public life without being knocked down or hurt.

Political violence does not begin and end with one attack. It grows in a climate where threats are normalized, opponents are dehumanized, and supporters are told not to believe what is right in front of them. Leaders have a responsibility to stop that spiral before more people are hurt.

Ramaswamy and Trump do not need to agree with Acton to defend her right to campaign safely. They do not need to support her to tell their followers the truth: violence, threats, and conspiracy theory lies are unacceptable.

Add your name to our petition and demand that Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump personally condemn the attack on Amy Acton and call on their supporters to reject political violence.

The petition to Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump reads:

"Personally and forcefully condemn the attack on Amy Acton. Reject conspiracy lies that minimize or deny political violence, and call on your supporters to stop using threats, harassment, and intimidation in politics."