Terrifying day
Jan. 6, 2021, was a terrifying day for a nation that professes commitment to principles of justice, the Constitution and the rule of law.
The violent, treasonous attack on the Capitol stands as a warning to all citizens that our democracy is in grave danger.
Capitol Police, members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence were all targets of those seeking to stop a final electoral count by any means necessary.
Some of the citizen participants passionately believed this was their patriotic duty.
Some were veterans, some were retired or active law enforcement.
But each one had been conned, lied to and manipulated into believing that the 2020 presidential election had been stolen.
They were conned by the individual whose ego would never allow him to admit that a majority of Americans had voted to depose him.
His false claims of voter fraud are amplified by an entertainment network, and millions are still being spent on social media to further the Big Lie.
Each day, we learn more about the involvement of lawmakers and members of the Trump administration who supported and planned the insurrection.
And the voter suppression laws that passed this year in 19 states are distress signals, making it harder for Black people, the elderly, students and people with disabilities to cast a ballot.
We ignore the overwhelming evidence at our peril. Whatever your preferred political party, please pay attention, use your voice and actively challenge the growing threats to our democracy.
Lisa Dekker
Port Angeles