The following statement is from Michelle Tremillo, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in response to the one-year mark of white supremacist supporters of former President Trump storming the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to subvert the results of a national election:
“A year ago today, millions across the world watched in disbelief as a deadly insurrection transpired on the grounds and in the halls of our nation’s Capitol.
“No matter how much Republicans try to downplay what took place, the facts are indisputable: former President Donald Trump on January 6 of last year incited a white nationalist attack on Congress as he and his allies sought to reverse the will of voters and dismantle democracy itself in our country.
“Unless all involved in this attempted far-right overthrow of our government are held accountable for their heinous acts, this will undoubtedly happen again. The need for House and Senate Democrats to enshrine voting rights and prevent the sabotaging of our democratic processes has never been greater. Free and fair elections in our country will cease as we know it if no legislation is passed protecting them.”
Tearyne Almendariz, a TOP board member, added:
“For weeks after the 2020 general election, Trump and his enablers peddled racist lies scapegoating Black and Latino voters, spreading completely unfounded claims of voter fraud in communities of color, laying the groundwork for this direct assault.
“It is disgusting, though in no way surprising, to see right-wing media and politicians minimize the sinister display of white supremacy we witnessed.
“The mounting evidence of preparation and coordination of this attack only underscores the urgency for our elected leaders in Washington to do everything in their power to stop this demagoguery from silencing the voices and threatening the lives of people of color across the country. This includes passing the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in full without any further delay.”
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Texas Organizing Project organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.
This statement was sent out January 6, 2022.