January 6 Vigil for Democracy
Stand Up Alaska is hosting a Vigil for Democracy event this Thursday at Loussac Library from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The event is being held on the one-year anniversary of the deadly armed attack on the U.S. Capitol. The attack was carried out by supporters of Donald Trump who sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
One Alaskan, Aaron J. Mileur, a member of the pro-Bronson Save Anchorage group, was arrested by the FBI for his alleged participation in the siege.
A Facebook page for this Thursday's event can be found here. A description of the event can be found below.
No matter our background or party, most of us believe that people who betray our nation and endanger our lives have no business governing in our name.
On January 6, a faction of elected officials turned their backs on America by inciting armed right-wing militants to attack our Capitol and then tried to block an investigation to cover up their role in this deadly violence.
January 6 was a violent and deadly attack against all Americans – against our country, our democracy, and our freedom as voters to choose the leaders that represent us so that we have a government of, by, and for the people.
The attacks continue. One year later, the same faction that attacked our country on January 6th is hard at work silencing our voices by restricting our freedom to vote, attacking fair voting districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections and with it our democracy.
So this January 6, exactly one year later, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding candlelight vigils to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections. The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans. To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, our elected leaders must pass urgent legislation that will protect this country from anti-democratic forces who are continuing their efforts to destroy it.
The January 6th attack by right-wing militants 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 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 Protecting Our Democracy Act, a historic pro-democracy-for-all package, will create and strengthen guardrails to prevent the abuse of presidential power and restore fundamental checks and balances in our government.
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.
DC Statehood provides an equal voice to the residents of Washington DC and ends more than 200 years of taxation without representation.
Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us - no matter our color, zip code, or income - so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.
