Albany, NY – In response to 1-year anniversary of the January 6th Insurrection, Ivette Alfonso, President of Citizen Action of New York, released the following statement:
“The afternoon of January 6, 2021 was one of the darkest hours that our country has ever seen, as many of us watched from our homes in disbelief as domestic terrorists unleashed a relentless assault on our democracy. The actions of those that stormed the U.S. Capitol last year were incited by the ideologies of white supremacy, and the anti-democratic rhetoric of leaders in the Republican Party. This attack was more than just a physical attack on the Capitol, it was a key part of a nation-wide voter suppression effort that still continues to threaten the integrity of our democracy to this very day. To prevent future attempts to sabotage our elections, we must make the effort to expand voting rights and move the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act through the U.S. Senate. Voter intimidation has caused immense harm particularly to people of color in this country, and we must advance voting rights legislation to neutralize voter suppression.”
“Our democracy is currently on a lifeline and saving it requires Sen. Chuck Schumer and the U.S. Senate leadership to expand voting rights by ending racial gerrymandering and increasing transparency in campaign finance to neutralize the influence of dark money in our elections. Expanding voter access is paramount and must be included in any direct response to the actions that occurred on that infamous day exactly a year ago. The future of our country is at stake, and for our democracy to work for all of us, it must include us all. An overwhelming majority of people support strengthening and protecting the freedom to vote. Sen. Schumer and President Biden must do everything in their power to preserve our democracy.”