LOS ANGELES — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Chavez Zbur on Wednesday in response to the attack on the United States Capitol:
“The dangerous, seditious siege on the U.S. Capitol incited by the president and carried out by his supporters are a test of our democracy that we have never seen before. It has been over a century and a half since our nation witnessed such violent insurrection. And never before has one been incited by the sitting president of the United States and his allies in Congress. “Our institutions are strong, but democracy is fragile. Each and every one of us is responsible for its protection. We applaud Speaker Pelosi and most members of California’s Congressional delegation for their unyielding commitment to its defense. We join Governor Newsom in his concern and prayers for their safety, as well as that of their staff and of those on the front lines protecting the U.S. Capitol. “As President-Elect Biden said today, ‘Through war and strife, America has endured much. And we will endure here and prevail now.’ “This terrorist attack on the nation’s capital is a serious and solemn moment for our nation and deserves an equally serious and solemn response. The world is watching. Once the Capitol has been secured, our nation’s elected leaders in both parties must take every appropriate measure to hold this president accountable, safeguard our democracy and ensure a peaceful transition of power — up to and including the president’s immediate removal from office should it be required.”
“The dangerous, seditious siege on the U.S. Capitol incited by the president and carried out by his supporters are a test of our democracy that we have never seen before. It has been over a century and a half since our nation witnessed such violent insurrection. And never before has one been incited by the sitting president of the United States and his allies in Congress.
“Our institutions are strong, but democracy is fragile. Each and every one of us is responsible for its protection. We applaud Speaker Pelosi and most members of California’s Congressional delegation for their unyielding commitment to its defense. We join Governor Newsom in his concern and prayers for their safety, as well as that of their staff and of those on the front lines protecting the U.S. Capitol.
“As President-Elect Biden said today, ‘Through war and strife, America has endured much. And we will endure here and prevail now.’
“This terrorist attack on the nation’s capital is a serious and solemn moment for our nation and deserves an equally serious and solemn response. The world is watching. Once the Capitol has been secured, our nation’s elected leaders in both parties must take every appropriate measure to hold this president accountable, safeguard our democracy and ensure a peaceful transition of power — up to and including the president’s immediate removal from office should it be required.”
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
