Borowicz Draws Criticism for Selfies with White Nationalism Group

Sean Kitchen – photo provided

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Centre) has drawn criticism for selfies posing with members of the American Guard, an organization the Anti-Defamation League says is a group tied closely to white supremacy.

The occasion was a Monday gun rights rally in Harrisburg. Borowicz was a speaker there and had her picture taken posing with a member of American Guard.

On Tuesday, ADL Regional Director Nancy K. Baron-Baer issued a statement on the incident, “It is irresponsible for state legislators to pose for selfies with white supremacists. ADL can confirm that the individual in the photo is connected to multiple right-wing extremist movements.”

She said, “There is simply no excuse for anyone in a position of leadership in the Commonwealth to appear to legitimize extremism. Whether or not Representative Borowicz knew who this individual was or what he stood for, she knows now, and should immediately apologize and condemn white supremacy.”

Borowicz issued a statement Tuesday, responding to what she termed a Twitter thread falsely accusing her of racism for appearing in the photo. The Twitter came from Philadelphia Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell who had been involved in a March flap with Borowicz over the latter’s invocation on the floor of the state House.

The Borowicz statement:

“On any given day as a state lawmaker, I am frequently approached and honored to have my photo taken with individual constituents, groups and organizations, as are most of my colleagues. We do not, nor should we, require ID or background checks as a condition for being photographed with the people of Pennsylvania – our constituents! The many photos taken of me at this year’s Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bears Arms are no different.”