The recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York—a racist act of domestic terrorism—has been tied to the White nationalist Great Replacement conspiracy theory that claims White people are being replaced by people of color.
The White gunman—who drove over 200 miles to murder mostly elderly Black grocery shoppers—made reference to replacement theory in his alleged manifesto.
10 people were murdered and three more injured in the Buffalo attack. 11 of the 13 victims were Black.
In a segment of 9News Next with Kyle Clark, the Denver anchor called out Republican Representative Lauren Boebert for espousing and spreading the same White nationalist rhetoric.
Anchor Kyle Clark explained:
"The targeted killing of Black shoppers in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York over the weekend is just the latest mass shooting apparently inspired by the baseless and racist replacement theory—the idea that Jews and Democratic elites are trying to replace White Americans with people of color from other countries."
Clark told viewers:
"There are some conservative political figures that will hint about this theory or speak about it in code."
"And then there’s Colorado’s Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert."
Clark then showed a clip of Boebert date stamped 9/27/2021 that was originally posted on the GOP Congresswoman's official Facebook page.
You can see Clark's 9News Next segment here:
Boebert was elected in November 2020 and took her oath of office January 3, 2021.
Three days later, Boebert allegedly supported a violent insurrection—planned and carried out by White nationalist, White supremacist and other Trump supporters—at the United States Capitol which left 5 people dead, over 100 injuries to law enforcement and millions of dollars in damages.
Nine months later Boebert was spouting White nationalist rhetoric on camera.
Boebert said in the clip:
"They want to grant amnesty and a path to citizenship to 8 million illegal aliens."
"Yes, there is definitely a replacement theory that’s going on right now."
"We are killing American jobs and bringing in illegal aliens from all over the world to replace them if Americans will not comply."
After playing the clip, Clark said:
"That was Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert openly espousing replacement theory by name in 2021."
Clark added the Buffalo domestic terrorist echoed similar White nationalist themes.
The 9News anchor also shared the segment on Twitter.
Some political figures hint at the baseless \u201creplacement theory,\u201d which is referenced in the Buffalo shooter\u2019s apparent manifesto. Other political figures, like Colorado GOP Rep @laurenboebert just come right out and say it. #copoliticspic.twitter.com/sjVYp4zS8h— Kyle Clark (@Kyle Clark) 1653064422
Red flags were previously waved when Boebert spouted the replacement theory rhetoric in 2021.
The most disrutbing part of thie piece from @AmerIndependent's @owillis is that the racist "replacement theory" language isn't just coming from the Boebert/Gaetz crowd. It's coming from Elise Stefanik - one of the highest-ranking Republicans in Congresshttps://americanindependent.com/republicans-house-gaetz-boebert-tucker-carlson-great-replacement-theory-racism-white-americans/\u00a0\u2026— Matt Fuehrmeyer (@Matt Fuehrmeyer) 1632848196
when an elected official peddles harmful stereotypes, it can have deadly consequences\n\nboebert's words embolden white supremacists, who buy into "the great replacement" conspiracy theoryhttps://twitter.com/AmerIndependent/status/1465795127352475650\u00a0\u2026— Josh Axelrod (@Josh Axelrod) 1638383140
People sounded off online about Boebert and other Republicans parroting the racist conspiracy theory.
The only Replacement Theory that should concern Republicans who still love this country (I know you exist) is how the GOP was taken over & replaced by the likes of Greene, Boebert, McCarthy, Stefanik, Gosar, Massie, Jordan, & many others who are working to destroy what existed.— Fred Guttenberg (@Fred Guttenberg) 1652705472
Steve King, Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and JD Vance invoked replacement theory without consequences. GOP didn\u2019t condemn them. And they get more negative attention for less concerning things. Maybe people should start by giving a damn about it.https://twitter.com/vidhya_ra/status/1525607327373606913\u00a0\u2026— Seth Daire (@Seth Daire) 1652597186
Another GOP with blood on her hands regarding Replacement Theory. Clearly not faith over fear-Local News Anchor Busts Lauren Boebert For Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud | HuffPost Latest News #DemVoice1 #BlueVoiceshttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/lauren-boebert-news-anchor-conspiracy-theory_n_628889b0e4b0415d4d77a737\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\udf38\ud83e\udd8bJoy\ud83e\udd8b\ud83c\udf38BSN,RN,CLC (@\ud83c\udf38\ud83e\udd8bJoy\ud83e\udd8b\ud83c\udf38BSN,RN,CLC) 1653135800
Lauren Boebert literally said the words \u201creplacement theory\u201d- in fact, her words are \u201cthere\u2019s definitely replacement theory right now.\u201d\n\nHas she claimed responsibility for Buffalo yet?— Changfucius (@Changfucius) 1653136670
Unsurprising partial list of those who couldn't manage to utter a single word of condolences to the victims of white replacement theory:\n\nElise Stefanik\nMadison Cawthorn \nJim Jordan \nRand Paul\nMatt Gaetz\nLauren Boebert \nPaul Gosar\nKyrsten Sinema \nJD Vance\nMo Brooks\nJosh Hawley— Chief Resistance Officer (@Chief Resistance Officer) 1652829288
Holy crap! Boebert is out-and-out promoting replacement theory! She's definitely insurrection material. She's got to go. She's tearing this country apart.https://youtu.be/5kVkz-NEkxc— Anne Landman (@Anne Landman) 1652735584
The White nationalist conspiracy theory inspired the 2017 Unite the Right marchers in Charlottesville, Virginia to chant "Jews will not replace us."
Replacement theory was also cited by at least three other mass shooters since 2018.
Republican politicians as well as conservative media pundits—like Fox News' Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham—are facing increased scrutiny and criticism for pushing the baseless conspiracy theory.
