On Wednesday, we witnessed a siege on our nation’s capital as Congress sought to formalize the results of November’s presidential election. In spite of rampant voter suppression and intimidation, white supremacist rhetoric, and fake conspiracy theories, the election was won handily by President-elect Joe Biden. In an effort to invalidate an election that didn’t go their way, extremists stormed the Capitol building, brandishing firearms, confederate flags, and white supremacist and white nationalist ideology. What was also striking about these events was the lack of response by law enforcement. We have clearly seen that when Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander, and other people of color peacefully protest, police responses have been, at times, forceful and violent in response to those demonstrations.

Race Forward joined with Advancement Project National Office, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Demos, Faith in Action, NAACP, National Congress of American Indians, National Urban League, and UnidosUS, a collaborative of nine leading national racial equity anchor organizations supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, in issuing a statement yesterday. Read the full statement.

Race Forward’s flagship program, the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), organizes and prepares local and state government to deliver accountable, racially equitable government for all. The nearly 300 GARE member jurisdictions (towns, cities, counties, court systems, parks, and regional planning agencies) have increasingly held the line against authoritarianism at the federal level and violence from racist and anti-government right-wing groups like the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, and others in their communities. GARE is dedicated to ensuring the promise of government is achieved for all of us. We can only achieve  this when barriers and gaps are eliminated for communities of color, and when government is held accountable for ensuring all of our well-being. 

While we were horrified by this week’s efforts to upend our democracy, we are inspired by organizers across the country who have worked fearlessly to uphold democracy and racial justice. We are particularly inspired by our partners who have protected and expanded the rights for Black voters to cast their ballots. We are inspired by our own GARE members who work day in and day out to build a just, multiracial democracy that meets the needs and demands of communities of color across this nation. 

In the coming weeks we can expect to see an increase in racist, xenophobic, antisemitic, and antigovernmental violence. Race Forward will continue to denounce these attacks. We will continue to join with organizers, our GARE members, and our partners to fight for a multicultural, multiracial democratic society.  

We invite you to join us for  #RaceAnd the Movement Forward: Looking Past the Vote and Mobilizing for Racial Justice, taking place on January 14th.  The second in a series of town hall conversations that centers community power, develops movement strategy, and organizes for policy change. Register today for this important town hall dicussion and mobilization. 

In Solidarity,

-The Race Forward Team