We are deeply disturbed by the alarming events that unfolded today at the U.S. Capitol. Actions by violent rioters seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election are a threat to our democracy and must be rejected outright.
What we witnessed today was the result of an ongoing disinformation campaign that seeks to stoke doubt and dissent around what has been repeatedly confirmed as a lawful election. We condemn these egregious attempts to disenfranchise American voters and weaken our democratic process.
Today’s events also laid bare the injustice and unequal treatment perpetrated upon protesters who were violently attacked this summer while calling for equality for Black lives and those who today put at risk the lives of U.S. senators and representatives—and were allowed to do so with little resistance.
We are a nation of laws, and our differences must not be resolved through violence. We expect and deserve more effective leadership from our elected officials and call for bipartisan efforts to resolve the divisiveness we face heading into a new year and new administration.
We are better than what we witnessed today.
Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.