The impeachment trial is over, but we’re still demanding answers about the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Tell Congress to investigate white supremacist infiltration of Capitol Police.
I'm still processing last week's impeachment trial, John.
Like you, I was disappointed — but not surprised — by the final verdict. Most Republican senators stood with Trump, even after he incited a deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol — threatening lawmakers and our democracy.1 I was also infuriated by the lack of discussion on what fueled and enabled that attack in the first place: white supremacy.
That’s right, John. White supremacy is how a violent, right-wing mob was convinced they could overturn election results. It’s what empowered Republican-backed vigilantes to storm the Capitol. And white supremacy protected the deadly mob after they made it inside to terrorize elected officials.
There’s no question that white supremacy was the root cause for the deadly attack on the Capitol.2 The question we still have is this: To what extent were white supremacists calling the shots within the Capitol Police force, and why wasn’t more done to stop them on January 6?
We won’t mince words, John: White supremacy is pervasive and entrenched in policing — from how cops are recruited to the rules that govern police and the unions that represent them. And the federal government has failed to take any serious action to address right-wing extremism and racism in police departments or police leadership.2
The consequences of their inaction are deadly, especially for Black people and communities targeted by law enforcement. Because those in power refuse to directly address white supremacy and systemic racism in policing, Black people continue to be targeted, terrorized, and murdered by police with impunity.
Color Of Change is fighting every day to stop this, John, but we need your help. More than 50,000 Color Of Change members like you have already called on Congress to investigate ties between members of Capitol Police and white supremacist movements.
Now, we need YOU to add your name to keep up the pressure — to tell Congress we’re still watching, and we still demand answers:
The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol laid bare the threat of white supremacy on our multiracial democracy. And after we saw right-wing militants — including dozens of off-duty cops — roaming freely through the Capitol and posing for selfies,5 the attack exposed the dangerous ties between policing and white supremacy.6
Until justice is real,
Erika, Rashad, Arisha, Scott, Malachi, Megan, Ernie, Madison, Ariel, Ana, Trevor, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
1. After second impeachment acquittal, Donald Trump still firmly in control of the Republican Party. Chicago Tribune. 14 February 2021.
2. What the Capitol insurgency reveals about white supremacy and law enforcement. Brookings. 12 January 2021.
3. Capitol Police Are Actually Members of a Massive Hate Group—The Fraternal Order of Police. The Root. 19 January 2021.
4. Hidden in Plain Sight: Racism, White Supremacy, and Far-Right Militancy in Law Enforcement. Brennan Center for Justice. 27 August 2020.
5. These 16 Police Officers Are Being Investigated over the Capitol Riot. Newsweek. 15 January 2021.
6. New radio and video footage from Capitol riot shows a coordinated attack and officers' restraint. CNN. 15 February 2021.
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.
