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Maryland’s long-standing history of political campaign violence dating back to Lincoln – Baltimore Sun


In May 1972, Alabama Gov. George Wallace was campaigning at the Laurel Shopping Center in Maryland when he was shot by Arthur Bremer, a 21-year-old former busboy. Wallace survived but was left paralyzed, and his attacker was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The incident, which preceded a similar assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump by 50 years, highlighted the dangers politicians face while on the campaign trail.

Wallace, known for his segregationist views and divisive rhetoric, had strong support among Maryland’s conservative voters. Despite the assassination attempt, Wallace won a sympathy vote in the 1972 Maryland primary, ultimately losing to Richard Nixon in the general election.

The shooting at the Laurel Shopping Center was not the only instance of criminal activities during political campaigns in Maryland. John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, was born in Bel Air and buried in Green Mount Cemetery. Additionally, an unnamed man was arrested in Baltimore in 1962 after threatening to shoot President John F. Kennedy during a parade.

The article also mentions a 1964 incident where eggs were thrown at President Lyndon B. Johnson during a campaign stop in Patterson Park. Despite these instances of violence, political figures continued to campaign in Maryland, facing the risks associated with public appearances.

The events at the Laurel Shopping Center serve as a reminder of the potential dangers politicians face while engaging with the public during campaigns. The attack on Wallace and other instances of criminal intent show the importance of security measures and vigilance in protecting political figures from harm.

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Photo credit www.baltimoresun.com