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A year after the Jan. 6 insurrection, attacks on our democracy continue

MORRISVILLE, NC (1/6/2022) — Today, January 6, 2022, marks one year since a faction of elected officials incited armed right-wing militants to storm the U.S. Capitol.

A year later, Americans across race, party, and backgrounds are gathering at rallies in cities throughout the nation to make it clear voters decide the outcomes of elections. We are demanding that elected leaders pass urgent legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to protect this country from anti-democratic forces who are continuing their efforts to destroy it.

“In the year since the insurrection in our nation’s capital, we have witnessed those who helped inspire the events – as well as those who sat idly by, their silence speaking volumes – continue the Jan. 6 attack in legislatures across the country,” said Cheryl Carter, Interim Co-Executive Director of Democracy North Carolina.

“From Washington, D.C., to here in Raleigh, we have watched lawmakers work tirelessly to attack free and fair elections, our freedom to vote, and the right to fair representation. They have spread lies about the validity of the 2020 election, hoping to cast a pall of doubt and suspicion over our democratic process and the very foundations of this nation. We must continue to refute these lies and demand action from our leaders across the political spectrum to transform our political system into one that works for all.

Make no mistake – January 6, 2021, was a violent, deadly, and deliberate attack against our nation, democracy, and freedom as voters to choose the leaders that represent us so that we have a government of, by, and for the people.

A year later, we are more determined than ever to defend our democracy from future attacks.

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Democracy North Carolina is a nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to strengthen democratic structures, build power among disenfranchised communities, and inspire confidence in a transformed political process that works for all. 

 

We must defend democracy

 

The January 6th attack by violent white supremacists demonstrates the dangers facing our nation and only further underscores the urgency with which we need to transform our political system into one that works for all Americans.

The U.S. Senate and President Biden must do whatever is necessary in 2022 to pass:

  • The Freedom to Vote Act, the most significant voting rights and anti-corruption bill in generations, will protect the freedom to vote for all Americans, stop partisan gerrymandering,  limit the influence of dark money so that billionaires can’t buy elections, and prevent partisan politicians from sabotaging future elections.
  • The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, restores and strengthens our freedom to vote by making sure that any changes to voting rules that could discriminate against voters based on our race or background are federally reviewed, so we all have an equal say in our future, and our rights are protected.

Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us – no matter our race, zip code, or income – so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.