One year ago tomorrow, a large crowd spurred on by the former president and lies about the 2020 Election stormed our nation’s Capitol. The mob, angry at the results of the fair and secure election, caused widespread physical destruction, but the damage done to the idea of American democracy was far greater.
To aid in your coverage of this important anniversary, members of the House Democratic Caucus offered the following statements.
Leader-Designate of the House Democratic Caucus Representative Ramon Alexander (D- Tallahassee) said, “Today is the anniversary of the January 6th painful attack on our democracy carried out as an attempt to overturn election results. The events on that day endangered the security of this country and the institution of government. Threats to our democracy are still on the rise, and as leaders, we have a responsibility and a duty to always stand on the prevailing side of democracy. We must continue the fight for justice and condemn the attack by never forgetting the wounds and tragic actions it caused to our great country’s democratic system.”
Representative Ben Diamond (D- St. Petersburg) said, “One year ago today, we witnessed an attack on our democracy. January 6, 2021 was one of the darkest days in America’s history – a threat to the peaceful transfer of power that is the bedrock principle of the Constitution. May this day serve as a reminder that our democracy is fragile, and we cannot take it for granted. We must continue to fight for our democratic principles that underpin free and fair elections, seek the truth about what happened that day, and take action to ensure it never happens again.”
Representative Anna Eskamani (D- Orlando) said, “As elected officials, it is our job to create calm, not chaos. To bring people together, not tear us apart. January 6th was the result of politicians who were so power hungry and corrupt that they were willing to risk our nation’s foundation and lie to the American people for their own greed. Unfortunately the scars created by January 6th are deep and are still felt today, but as Democrats we are committed to returning to an age of sanity. A time when Americans – all Americans – stood not divided but united. A time of integrity and decency. A time when we could disagree without being disagreeable. We will keep fighting for working families, building bridges when we can, and holding people accountable when we must.”
Representative Dan Daley (D- Coral Springs) said, “As we remember the violent and deadly insurrection that happened just one year ago for the disgusting attack on democracy that it was, I want to also remember the Capitol Police and those who fought back against these traitors, as well as the ongoing attacks that our democracy faces across the nation and right here in Florida. More than just remembering, it is critical that those responsible for these acts of treason are held accountable, that justice prevails, and that our democracy is protected, everywhere that it remains under siege.”
Representative Travaris McCurdy (D- Orlando) said, “In my opinion, remembering and understanding what happened that day has become one of our most important history lessons. This was an attack on our democracy, our ability to peacefully choose our leadership, a right that is fundamental to being an American. Unfortunately, just this week we’ve seen members of the DeSantis administration compare peaceful civil protest with the violent insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol last year. We cannot allow anyone to rewrite the history books about what happened one year ago. We must be clear and we must be firm: it was an insurrection, it was wrong, and it can NEVER happen again.”
