Yolo officials react to Capitol attack
Reaction from Yolo County’s political leadership has been one of universal condemnation on the homegrown terrorist attacks and sedition at the U. S. Capitol this week.
As Congress was meeting to certify the Electoral College votes naming Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States, the Capitol was stormed by insurrectionists following a rally held by President Donald Trump who fomented the attack.
Congressman John Garamendi was on his way to the U. S. Capitol on Wednesday when he was told by police to turn around.
At that moment, the longtime Yolo County representative did not know the extent of the violence that would transpire that day, one he would later say “will go down in the history of America as the saddest day in American history.”
Garamendi — who represents California’s 3rd District — reported via phone Wednesday afternoon that he was safe and was “sequestered in a safe place” after speaking with police near the Capitol.
While he did not personally witness the storming of what is considered a building that is a cornerstone of the nation’s democratic republic, he could feel the weight of what some are calling an insurrection led by hundreds of President Donald Trump’s supporters.
The insurrection caused a wave of shock to ripple through the nation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom canceled his Wednesday briefing on COVID- 19 “out of an abundance of caution.”
“I’m horrified at today’s events in Washington D. C. and across the U. S.,” tweeted California Assemblywoman from Cecilia Aguiar- Curry, who represents the 4th District, which includes Yolo County. “The rioters who broke into their way into the nation’s capital today, harmed others, defaced the People’s Building, harassed law enforcement, and disrupted the electoral vote count, attack our democracy directly.”
“Democracy is the basis of our republic, and these attacks cannot be tolerated,” Aguiar- Curry continued. “I wholly condemn the dangerous actions of those rioting, putting the health and safety of others at risk.”
The insurrection was the first time the U. S. Capitol has been attacked since 1814, when British soldiers set fire to the building during the War of 1812. Four people died Wednesday, including one woman who was shot by police.
Prior to the attack, Trump spoke to the crowd of people, saying “you’ll never take back our country with weakness.” In what appeared to be an encouragement to what was to come.
“It was a shocking and saddening sight to see an unruly mob take over the hallowed United States Capitol,” Woodland Mayor Tom Stallard stated. “I was equally saddened to watch the President deliver remarks to his partisans prior to sending them to the Capitol to protest. This was probably the most violent day at the Capitol since the British burned the building during the War of 1812. This country has just had a difficult but fair election. Mr. President, you lost. Time to get over it and let us get us with the business of the country. Our reputation for the civil transfer of power is now tarnished. It will be hard to repair that loss of moral authority in the world.”
It was easy to draw comparisons to police response during protests against police brutality over the summer. Protesters, who overall remained peaceful, were faced with violent pushback from police, including teargassing and rubber bullets.
“We all denounce the abhorrent behavior of the insurrectionists who breached our nation’s Capitol. The inexplicable leniency shown by law enforcement toward these seditionists was not lost on me as well and stood in stark contrast to the treatment of peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square just weeks ago,” UC Davis Chancellor Gary May stated, referring to the summer protests.
“Our democracy is a 244- year- old institution that we build upon daily by participation, debate, peaceful protest and advocating for the initiatives and change we believe in. Sometimes our views will prevail, sometimes they will not. Yet violence is never the answer to address our grievances.”
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig echoed the criticism against violence.
“The future of our democracy depends on the rule of law. Violence of any kind merely fuels chaos and, left unchecked, will unravel our civilized society,” Reisig stated.
The Capitol was cleared Wednesday evening, and Congress resumed the Electoral College vote. During the session, Congress and the Senate affirmed the election of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States.
Early Thursday morning, Trump — who’s Twitter account has been locked by the social media company — released a statement through Dan Scavino, his chief of staff in which he stated that, even though he disagrees with the results of the elections, there would be an “orderly transition of power” on Jan. 20.
“I am saddened to see the chaos and violence at the U. S. Capitol,” Woodland Police Chief Derrek Kaff stated. “This is a time for Americans to support one another and find common ground so that we can work together. I fully support the right to free speech but condemn any acts of violence by any group.”
Despite all the chaos, Garamendi remained determined to go back to Congress.
“American democracy has survived over 200 years, and it will survive Donald Trump,” he emphasized.