Threats to Democracy Must Not Be Tolerated
Statement from Audra Wilson, President & CEO of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law
January 6, 2021, will be remembered as a tragic day for American democracy. The violence unleashed by the mob of President Trump's supporters at the United States Capitol was an act of domestic terrorism. The lack of a swift response from police and law enforcement reinforced white privilege and protection.
The goal of this coup attempt was to buck the foundation of our democracy by trying to delegitimize a fair election — to silence voices and to frighten.
But these heinous acts cannot undo the truth. The people have spoken. Joe Biden will be our new President of the United States. Winners in the Georgia runoff election have been declared. Our Congress has gathered to advance needed policies for support for communities suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Trump and his followers must immediately put an end to their attempts to break our democracy. All parties responsible for stoking this hateful insurrection must face consequences, and our lawmakers should take bold action to mitigate any further damage President Trump and others are doing to our republic.
The Shriver Center stands strong in the fight for economic and racial justice through policy and structural change. We will continue to support our communities' right to freely and safely advocate for themselves and for their families. If our country is to truly acknowledge, unpack, and end its legacy of racism and injustice — it requires accountability, compassion, and respect. We must work together to build a future where all people have equal dignity, respect, and power under the law.