Reform Jewish Movement Condemns Insurrectionists' Breaching of the Capitol Building

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2021

WASHINGTON - Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and wider Reform Movement:

We are witnessing an unprecedented assault not just on the U.S. Capitol building and members of Congress, but on American democracy itself. The scenes of insurrectionists breaching Capitol security, of Senators and Representatives hiding under chairs on the chamber floor praying with the chaplain while Capitol police stand at the ready, are terrifying and heartbreaking.

The fact that today’s events were encouraged by the President of the United States who has refused to accept his electoral loss is equally terrifying and heartbreaking. Our democracy is only as strong as the people willing to abide by its laws and norms. Yet rather than uphold those laws as he swore to do when taking the oath of office, President Trump has repeatedly done the opposite. Tragically, the willingness of some members of Congress to put party loyalty or their own political interests over country has shielded him thus far from being held to account for his actions. Today, the nation is paying the price.

We call on the President to immediately and unequivocally demand that his supporters peacefully stand down and to affirm the strength of our democracy by accepting the results of the 2020 election.

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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose nearly 850 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.RAC.org for more.