By Gillian McGoldrick, Philadelphia Inquirer
HARRISBURG — Members of the Pennsylvania legislature returned to work Monday, following two email threats made over the weekend that led the Capitol building to be evacuated on Saturday.
An anonymous email address sent a bomb threat “in the name of Palestine” to every member of the state legislature on Saturday evening, according to the email shared with The Inquirer. It came ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit to Harrisburg on Sunday.
Capitol Police evacuated the building, which was largely vacant as lawmakers had gone home for the weekend while legislative leaders continue to negotiate a budget deal. The threat was also made against the Pennsylvania Judicial Center, which houses the state’s appellate courts and was closed for the weekend.
“I plan on triggering one device every few hours until Joe Biden goes on national television and publicly denounces the illegitimate state of Israel,” the email to lawmakers stated. “Keep in mind I am inside one of the 2 buildings armed w/ a knife, and plan on remaining here to my dying breath!”
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