As Nation Marks January 6th Capitol Riot Anniversary, Continued Attacks on Our Democracy Warrant Immediate Congressional Action

(BOSTON, MA) — Today marks exactly one year since a mob of armed vigilantes attacked our nation’s Capitol and our democracy, killing and injuring people and threatening the lives of lawmakers in an attempt to thwart the will of the people and overturn the results of a fair and free election. It was a disgusting display of white supremacy and insurgent terror. Since then, additional attacks on our democracy have come in the form of state laws and policies aimed at creating barriers to voting and silencing the voices of already excluded Black and brown communities. Federal lawmakers could protect voter rights and our democratic institutions by passing The Freedom to Vote Act, the most significant voting rights and anti-corruption bill in generations, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which would create and strengthen guardrails to prevent the abuse of presidential power and restore fundamental checks and balances in our government, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would ensure any changes to voting rules that could discriminate against voters based on race or background are federally reviewed, and DC Statehood, which would provide equal voice to the residents of Washington DC and end more than 200 years of taxation without representation. In March 2021, the U.S. House passed the For the People Act, which would strengthen our democracy by expanding voter protections, reforming campaign finance laws and limiting gerrymandering. The bill awaits Senate action. 

Statement of Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, regarding today’s Day of Remembrance:

“Every day, Community Catalyst works to ensure all people and communities have power over the decisions that affect our health, including and especially decisions made by policymakers. A healthy democracy is key to healthy communities, and one of the many ways people use their voice to speak up on issues of health is through their vote. Yet from last year’s violent siege of our Capitol to widespread lies about the 2022 election results to voter suppression laws at the state level that disproportionately and intentionally disenfranchise communities of color, it is clear that people’s right to vote and fundamental freedoms are under attack.  

“We stand with our allies and partners across the country who are fighting to protect our right to vote and hold elected officials accountable for fulfilling their duty to uphold our rights and preserve our democratic institutions. Congress and President Biden must act now to strengthen our democracy, and that starts with Senate passage of voting rights and democracy protection legislation. The health and future of our democracy and nation are at stake.”

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