Today was a heartbreaking day for our democracy. 

A violent insurrection took place at the U.S. Capitol, interrupting the vote to certify electoral college results—and undermining the will of the American people. 

We watched with horror as an armed militia carried confederate flags and breached doors of the Capitol. 

There is no place for this racism and violence in our country, or in our government institutions. Threats, intimidation, and violence must never prevail. Our elected leaders must join in condemning these actions and listening to the will of the people by certifying the election results and following through on a transition of power. 

The context of these events is important: Black voters organized to challenge disenfranchisement and strengthen the democratic process through civic engagement. Kamala Harris became the first woman, as well as the first Black and Indian American person to ever be elected Vice President. And yesterday, Georgians elected Rev. Raphael Warnock, the state’s first Black Senator, as well as Jon Ossoff, the state’s first Jewish Senator.

President Trump’s words “get rid of the weak Congresspeople” were heard by his supporters, many of whom enacted violence at the Capitol. This violence is not new, it has been perpetrated toward Black, Indigenous and Native, and People of Color for hundreds of years. 

White supremacy was at the very root of these events. 2020 was a year of significant activism to say, resoundingly, that Black Lives Matter–and these acts of terrorism are an act of aggression against the progress activists have made. 

Watching the response to these acts of terrorism, it was clear that law enforcement presence was fewer in number and less violent compared to Black Lives Matter protests. A Capitol police officer even took a selfie with one of the rioters who elicited violence on US Capitol. White supremacy and racism are directly tied to this.

Domestic violence organizations are an important part of the effort to challenge white supremacy and build equity in policy work. We will continue toward these goals, and urge policymakers to do the same. 

We also affirm that domestic violence organizations play a critical role in preventing all forms of violence, including the violence that has led to this moment. Our movement is committed to building a less violent and more equitable world. Today that goal seems so far away, but we remain steadfast in this work.