Natchez woman says life being threatened after social media post

NATCHEZ — Jacqueline “Jackie” Marsaw is living a nightmare of sorts, but one she freely admits she brought on herself.

Marsaw posted a comment on Facebook Saturday, shortly after the shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania, that she meant to be humorous. Unfortunately for her, others did not think the post was funny.

During the rally, a 20-year-old gunman attempted to assassinate Trump but failed in that attempt. One spectator was killed, and two others were critically wounded.

Now, it’s Marsaw’s life that is being threatened by hundreds of people from around the country who have sent her threatening texts, direct messages, emails, and called her cell phone.

“Deputies have all of the screenshots of emails and text messages. I’ve had to block more than 100 people who have sent me direct messages. They have come from Maryland, New York, and different states all over the country to my personal email and phone numbers,” she said.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten and his deputies are working to determine who sent each.

“Some of the things we have seen sent to Ms. Marsaw are on the borderline of being a hate crime. People need to refrain from directly or indirectly sending messages to her. If we get your IP address, no matter where in the country you are located, we will be sending a warrant for your arrest. No matter your beliefs, people have a right to be safe,” Patten said. “Hate has no place in America.”

“I acted in the heat of the moment. I wish I had not posted that. I don’t want anybody to kill Trump. I don’t care for him, and he attacks my (former) boss, but I don’t want anyone to kill him or anybody else. I am really sorry,” Marsaw said.

Marsaw was a case worker and field director for U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson until she resigned on Sunday. She said she talked with Thompson and apologized for any trouble she caused him.

On Sunday, an agent with the U.S. Secret Service, the sheriff, and a sheriff’s deputy went to Marsaw’s house to talk with her.

“He acted like I was the one who tried to kill Trump,” Marsaw said. “He asked me all kinds of questions, like if I had tried to attend a Trump rally or had ever gone to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s home in Florida. Of course, I have not. He asked if I had any explosives in my home or if I had a record of stalking anybody. He walked through the apartment and looked at everything that was on my dresser, wrote down the medications I take.”

She said the agent told her they would also search her cell phone and email records. “I don’t have anything to hide,” she said.

“He asked me what I would say to him if I were in the same room with Trump. I don’t know what I would say,” Marsaw said. “I’m not a harm to anybody.

Marsaw was a carrier for The Natchez Democrat for decades and has been a lifelong volunteer for the Natchez chapter of the NAACP, as well as other community volunteer organizations.

In addition to those threatening her life, Marsaw also has gotten numerous calls from friends and others who know her and her work in the community.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook for three days straight from people telling me they support me. They have said, ‘God has got you,’ ‘Everybody knows you and they know your heart,’ ‘That wasn’t in your character, you just made a mistake,’ ” she said. “I am not a racist. People who know me know that. I only go against people when I think they are racists. But I don’t want anyone to be harmed regardless.”

The post Natchez woman says life being threatened after social media post appeared first on Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper .