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Dear John,

It has been difficult to find the words that would adequately name both the joy and horror that we’ve felt over the last 36 hours.

Armed white supremacists stormed the U.S. Capitol and, for hours, were not stopped in any meaningful way—despite weeks of warnings that this might happen. The treatment of violent insurrectionists compared to that of peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters this summer put our unequal society and laws on full display. I spent big chunks of my afternoon making sure my own children were safe, that they understood that their usual pastime of rollerblading around Capitol Hill was dangerous, and explaining terms like sedition and insurrection to them. I don’t actually have answers to all of their questions, and I also can’t make any promises to all of you. But one thing I know is clear: we must impeach and remove this president, and hold all those who were complicit accountable. [[link removed]]

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Trump’s dangerous actions put so many lives at stake, including the residents of D.C. and the many mostly Black, brown, and immigrant workers on whom the Capitol, its staff, and the region as a whole relies. And so many questions must be answered immediately, including why was the Capitol so unprepared? Why were requests for National Guard support initially denied?

But while we demand these answers and the removal of an unfit president who has been threatening our democracy for four years [[link removed]] , I am also clear that this rebellion is a sign of something more that will not go away when this president leaves office: We are dealing with the last gasp of a dying majority. This will not deter us—the election results have been certified, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be inaugurated on January 20, and we will stay firm in our drive toward justice. There will be continued theater for sure, and further attempts to sow fear and doubt. But that right there is the point: while they didn’t and won’t succeed at overturning the will of the people, we must never stop fighting against the white supremacy that fuels days like yesterday.

Despite these futile attempts, I am not letting go of the feeling I had yesterday morning when I awoke and learned of the election news in Georgia. There is no question those results are due to the vision and organizing of Black women in the state who have led a decade-plus-long strategy and a diverse, multiracial coalition to transform power. I’m so proud of their work, and I’m so inspired by their leadership and the willpower of Georgians.

I am also not letting go of the feeling I had when I got the call that some of my closest sisters in the movement have been named to key positions at the Justice Department. I’m so proud of Vanita and Kristen; they will fight for us, and we will be better with them in those roles. [[link removed]]

And I am not letting go of the feeling that I had when I entered this new year. I spent the end of 2020 taking very good advice from many of my colleagues at the Law Center. I spent less time on social media, and more time letting my mind wander, exploring and exercising, and reading books that made me think—and not think at all. I even binged Bridgerton with my mom. (Why are there only eight episodes?!) And when my mind quieted enough to reflect more fully on 2020, I began to dream about 2021. I regrounded myself in purpose. I did the things that bring me real joy.

To all of you—don’t let them take our joy. Don’t let them distract us from our purpose. Today is a new day, and we got this because we have each other.

In Solidarity,
Fatima
she/her/hers
President and CEO
National Women’s Law Center

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