Riots at the Capitol
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- Published on Thursday, 07 January 2021 12:46
- Written by editor
r33
Dear friend,
The violent riots which unfolded yesterday at the Capitol were a deeply concerning display of white supremacy in action.
On the day that Georgia elected its first ever Black Senator and Jewish Senator, rioters barged into the Capitol bearing racist symbols such as the Confederate flag, an Auschwitz hoodie, and nooses.
This was not an isolated incident. White supremacy in this country is systemic and being fueled by many in power. For years, we’ve watched Donald Trump—alongside other politicians—fan the flames of hatred that emboldened rioters to incite yesterday’s violence and take hold of a democratic institution by force.
Witnessing this violence, even from afar, was scary. And yet the police didn’t seem to see the rioters as a threat. Instead of standing in their way, the police opened the gates. There is footage of officers taking selfies with violent white domestic terrorists while they freely roam the halls of our nation’s Capital. It is impossible not to see the clear double standard in police response, when disproportionate use of force... appears to be reserved for peaceful protestors seeking accountability for the murder of unarmed Black people.
These injustices are not new, and this tipping point comes as no surprise. But it is nonetheless outrageous, and it doesn't make it any easier to watch democracy under attack.
Some people may say that as an environmental organization we need to stay in our lane and focus exclusively on issues like pollution and climate change. We couldn’t disagree more. Racism, white supremacy, and state-sanctioned violence is an issue everyone needs to stand against. And what’s more, racial discrimination, environmental injustice and climate change are interconnected systemic issues – where communities of color experience it firsthand and suffer disproportionately.
At Stand.earth, we unequivocally denounce white supremacy and its manifestation in all its forms. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Silent agreement is not enough. At Stand we are committed to being vocally anti-racist and anti-white supremacist.
To every person reading this, now is the time to do everything in our collective power to disrupt the systems that perpetuate racial injustice and white supremacy.
Here are some D.C.-based groups you can support who are mobilizing around these issues:
- DC BLM
- DC Street Medic Collective
- DC Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC)
- Life After Release
- Peace House
- BYP 100 DC
- Black Swan Academy
- DC Mutual Aid Apothecary
If you can’t donate but use social media, please follow the accounts above and amplify their messages. You can also support Cori Bush’s petition demanding the resignation of the members of Congress who supported the attempted coup today.
The Stand.earth community is nearly half a million people strong and growing. When we speak up together and stand against racism, our voices are powerful.
With hope and care,
Todd Paglia
Executive Director
Stand.earth
Stand.earth challenges corporations, industries, and governments to prioritize the well-being of people, our environment, and our climate by creating long-term, effective solutions. None of this work is possible without your support. DONATE $5 San Francisco office: 548 Market Street, Suite 74196, San Francisco, CA 94104-5401 On traditional Chochenyo and Karkin Ohlone Lands
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Vancouver office: 151 West Hastings Street, Vancouver BC, V6B1H4 On Unceded Territories of the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ, xʷməθkwəy̓əm, and Skwxwú7mesh Nations
r80
