[ [link removed] ]Welch for Vermont

Hello,

Tomorrow is the first anniversary of one of the darkest days in our
nation’s history. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the horrors we
saw in the Capitol, how our democracy is still under attack to this day,
and how we can work together to protect it.

I watched the mob march up the mall, chanting violent epithets in
preparation to attack the seat of our democracy and all who worked there,
including the cafeteria workers, police officers, and cleaning staff. I
was in the House chamber when the shot was fired and the violent mob tried
to break down the doors.

I will never forget the fear and uncertainty in the eyes of all who were
there. I especially will never forget the eyes of one U.S. Capitol Police
officer, standing above me in the chamber with his gun drawn. He was
prepared to do the unthinkable to protect me and my colleagues, and I will
always be thankful for their bravery and service. The loss of five of our
officers as a result of that day will always be a stain on our history.

Later that night, after watching insurrectionists try to seize the
Capitol, 147 of my Republican colleagues voted to overturn the will of the
people and called the election of President Biden fraudulent. Many of
those who voted to overturn the election were on the very same ballot as
President Biden and Vice President Harris.

Now, aftershocks of this day continue to reverberate through our country.
Trump-aligned state houses are working to subvert free and fair elections
in the future by making it harder to vote, gerrymandering congressional
districts to further marginalize voters of color, and taking away the
independent role of state authorities to certify election results. They
are trying to do through legislation, what the mob failed to do on January
6th.

There is an ongoing existential threat to our democracy. Make no mistake:
our democracy is imperiled.

The right to vote and the peaceful transfer of power are core tenets of
our nation’s democracy. The future depends on our fight to protect them.

But I still have hope because of folks like you.

In the year ahead, I am asking Vermonters to step up where they can — talk
to your friends and family about the issues you care about, make sure you
are registered to vote, get involved in your local elections, volunteer
for people and causes that move you. Take care of each other, speak up
when you see injustice, and challenge your elected officials, including
me, to fight for what is right. These small steps help build the fabric of
our communities and in turn strengthen our democracy.

This January 6th, tomorrow, is a day for all of us to recommit to doing
everything we can to save and strengthen our democracy.

Six weeks ago, I announced my candidacy for the U.S. Senate. A major
reason I did so was to do all I can to preserve and protect the democracy
so essential to all of us. It is an all-hands-on-deck moment. All of us
must play a role and do what we can, wherever we are, to restore faith in
democracy and in one another.

We will succeed if we stand together.

Peter  


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