The RDAP Executive Board is appalled by the seditious events that took place on January 6, 2021 at the United States Capitol Building. Our nation’s leaders and our democratic election processes were severely threatened by a coup of predominantly white Trump supporters who continue to believe his falsehoods about election fraud. Even worse, Trump, still America’s president, appeared to have incited this mob's action.
Some have tried to equate what happened at the Capitol with some of the riots that occurred during or following Black Lives Matter protests. They are not the same thing. Demonstrating for a right to live while black is something we should all be behind as Americans and as human beings. The fact that some leveraged the Black Lives Matter protests as opportunities to spread anarchy is horrible, but the real tragedy is the damage done to those protests’ message of the right to live; that innocent lives have been snuffed out by those who are supposed to protect and serve. You can't replace someone's life; you can rebuild a store.
This would-be Capitol coup was caused by a weeks-long temper tantrum about an election decidedly lost. Our President encouraged his angry fans to storm the Capitol and do what they would to oppose our constitutional democratic processes. We saw, we will not forget, nor let this pass out of mind without being addressed. We empathize with those of you who are fighting both public and private battles with others who do not or cannot see the writing on the wall. You are not alone in your disappointment, anger and frustration.
On January 20th, we will have a new administration. One that has already shown a desire to unite rather than divide. One that will represent all Americans rather than a small base. And one that will listen to experts so we can begin winning this fight against the coronavirus and work to undue countless wrongs done by the current administration. This is not over, and we will all have to work together to right so many wrongs, on so many levels. We can do this. There is hope.
Jennifer Darragh, President
Jonathan Petters, Vice President
Tobin Magle, Past President
Christopher Eaker, Treasurer
Rachel Woodbrook, Secretary
