📢Never Forget: January 6, 2021
🗽 Freedom is a daily act of advocacy and holding our leaders accountable to the will of the people.
We must never forget the events of January 6, 2021, nor the ominous signs leading up to that dark day. To remember is to honor those who defended democracy and to renew our resolve to safeguard it against future threats. The insurrection did not come without warning—it was the culmination of deliberate actions, dangerous rhetoric, and ignored alarms.
Warnings Ignored
In the weeks before the attack, the warning signs were clear. On November 9, then-President Donald Trump fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and replaced him with Christopher C. Miller. This abrupt shift at the Pentagon alarmed many, including CIA Director Gina Haspel, who warned Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, "We are on the way to a right-wing coup."
On January 2, Republican Senator Mitt Romney, no stranger to the peaceful transition of power after conceding his 2012 presidential election loss, contacted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell with an urgent message. Romney relayed a chilling report from a senior Pentagon official, warning of “very disturbing social media traffic regarding the protests planned on the 6th.” This included calls to smuggle weapons into Washington, burn McConnell’s home, and storm the Capitol. Romney expressed deep concern, noting that the President—who was fomenting the unrest—was also the one commanding reinforcements the Capitol and D.C. police might need.
The alarm bells grew louder. On January 3, all ten living former defense secretaries released an unprecedented open letter. They warned of a potential coup to overturn the election and specifically called out Christopher Miller, urging him and others to uphold their constitutional duties and resist any attempts to undermine democracy.
The US Capitol was attacked by violent rioters
Despite these dire warnings, the attack on the Capitol unfolded with horrifying ferocity. Thousands of rioters, spurred by the “Big Lie” of a stolen election, breached the Capitol, scaling walls, smashing windows, and desecrating the seat of American democracy. Over $30 million in damages scarred the historic building, and the lives of many were forever changed.
Law enforcement officers were met with unspeakable violence—beaten, dragged, and stomped upon. Of the 174 officers assaulted that day, 15 were hospitalized, and some ultimately lost their lives. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick succumbed to two strokes after being pepper-sprayed. The psychological toll was equally devastating, with four officers dying by suicide in the aftermath.
Amid this chaos, rioters chanted threats to "hang Mike Pence" while a bomb was discovered near the location of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, endangering her life and many others. This was not just an attack on a building; it was an attack on democracy itself.
These events were fueled by lies meant to silence the voices of millions of Americans whose votes were legitimately cast. The insurrection was not a spontaneous eruption—it was the result of deliberate actions, inaction, and indifference to escalating threats.
We must never forget this assault on democracy, nor can we ignore the warnings that were ignored. To forget is to invite history to repeat itself. It is our shared responsibility to honor the bravery of those who defended us and to work tirelessly to ensure that the ideals of liberty, justice, and democracy prevail. Only through vigilance and action can we prevent such atrocities from happening again.
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Add these to your toolbox:
Hope
Hope is a powerful weapon against fascism, serving as both a shield and a rallying cry in the face of fear and oppression. While fascism thrives on division, despair, and apathy, hope inspires unity, action, and resilience. It fuels our belief in a better future, reminding us that change is possible when we come together with determination and courage. Hope empowers us to envision a society built on equality, justice, and freedom, motivating us to take meaningful steps to protect these values. By cultivating hope in our communities, we counteract the darkness of fascism with light, proving that love, solidarity, and persistence can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
Respect
Respect is a formidable weapon against fascism, countering its foundation of hatred and dehumanization with dignity and inclusivity. Fascism seeks to divide and conquer by pitting communities against one another, but respect bridges those divides, fostering empathy and understanding. When we listen to each other, honor diverse perspectives, and uphold the inherent worth of every individual, we dismantle the narratives that fuel authoritarian ideologies. Respect strengthens our resolve to protect the rights of all, reminding us that democracy thrives when we treat each other as equals. By leading with respect, we create a society where collaboration and compassion overpower fear and division, rendering fascism powerless in the face of unity.
Unity
Unity is one of the most powerful weapons against fascism, as it dismantles the divide-and-conquer tactics that authoritarian regimes rely on to maintain power. Fascism thrives on sowing division, exploiting differences, and isolating communities, but unity creates an unbreakable bond that transcends those divides. When people from all walks of life stand together, recognizing that an attack on one group is an attack on all, they form a collective force too strong to ignore. Unity amplifies our voices, strengthens our movements, and ensures that no one fights alone. It reminds us that our shared commitment to freedom, justice, and democracy is far greater than the fear and hate that fascism seeks to spread. Together, we can build a future where unity prevails, ensuring that democracy is not just defended but strengthened.
🗽The strength of a nation is not its ability to fight wars, but rather by its ability to prevent them. - Gene Roddenberry
Join us to build People Power! Together, we can champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
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