I taught government and history for over 30 years. Watching the January 6 Capitol events unfold, I felt horror thinking this was the end of our Democracy. Brave Capitol Police were outnumbered and pleaded for reinforcements that didn’t come for hours. Our Capitol was breached on four sides. The mob broke windows, stormed offices, and trashed the Rotunda and Senate chamber. Trump and Confederate flags and bear spray were used as weapons against Capitol Police. Our Congressmen and Senators fled. A noose was erected. Chants to get Vice President Pence and Speaker Pelosi echoed through the halls.
My mind flashed back to the history of the 1933 German Reichstag (parliament) attack and fire. Hitler and his Nazis then formed a dictatorship with horrifying consequences. That attack and this looked shockingly alike.
After hours of mob violence, I was grateful for the courage of our Vice President to call Congress back in session and resume the electoral certification. I was appalled by the legislators who voted against the certification of the election. The blatant violation of their Oath of Office to our Constitution was on full display.
Our Democracy is fragile. How fragile it is was illustrated by the terrorist events of January 6. Only through the courage of those who upheld their Constitutional Oath, January 7 dawned with our Constitution and our Democracy still standing. We all have a responsibility to defend that democracy with our vote, voicing our concerns to legislators, and allowing a free press to survive.–
Linda Russell
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936