A member of the Satanic Temple has threatened Arizona State Representative Kelly Townsend for comments she made about a protester at Sunday’s Women’s March in Phoenix. Rachel Ann Clawson, posting on Facebook as Rae La Donna, threatened Townsend via Facebook Messenger.
After posting a comment in which she said she hoped Townsend would “get hit by a car and then backed over to make sure your useless life has completely left your body,” Clawson then threatened, “You’re asking to catch my goddamn hands bitch.”
After Townsend brought attention to the threat on her Facebook page and expressed concern, Clawson posted on Facebook that she was “Calling the cops and my producer at Fox News.” Sources report that someone identifying themselves as a Fox 10 employee contacted Townsend to see if she would be reporting the threat to authorities.
Townsend did report the threat as is custom when an elected official could be at risk.
Later, Clawson posted and then removed a bizarre apology. “I would like to publicly apologize for the malicious messages I sent last night,” wrote Clawson. “She had made a horrendous comment about something that I am very passionate about which is protecting women and not defending rape culture as she stated all topless women are asking to be raped. This set me of, I was heated, I took it too far, I was being reckless and inconsiderate because of how angry I was in the moment.”
Contrary to Clawson’s claim, Townsend did not state that all topless women are asking to be raped.
Townsend did post an acknowledgement of Clawson’s apology on her Facebook page:
Although I appreciate the apology from the person who threatened me last night via Facebook Messenger, I would like it to be known that I take threats very seriously. I have reported the activity to DPS and Capitol Police who acted quickly to assess the threat, but in light of the apology I have received, I have personally decided to not take action at this time. However, should any further threat be received, I will reopen the complaint. Violence has no place in our society, and those committing violence should be held accountable.
I hold concern for all of my colleagues who work in the public arena in order to serve their constituents, and none of us should have to fear for our safety due to how we stand on issues. In a free society, the citizen and their representatives ought to feel free and safe to have open public discourse without fear of bodily harm. When someone allows their passion to overtake them and they cross the threshold and turn to violent rhetoric or action, our great Republic is threatened. Let us use this as a learning experience and realize that we can get passionate, we can get angry, we can work for change, but we can never cross the line when it comes to harming another.
One of Townsend’s friend’s wrote that Clawson needed their prayers, and in response on another thread, one of Clawson’s friends posted: “She needs prayers? Fuck that. She needs Satan.”
Townsend, who has been very vocal in support of the #metoo movement, came under fire for questioning the actions of a protester who bared her breasts at the Women’s March.
Townsend’s critics claimed that she was suggesting that women, who dressed or acted in a provocative manner, are asking to be raped. However, Townsend said that women being lewd publicly are putting themselves at risk. “No, she didn’t ask for it,” Townsend told ABC15 referring to the topless protester.
Related article: Townsend Questions Topless Protester’s Tactics, “Who Stood Up In Defense Of Morality”