America Forward’s Statement on the One Year Anniversary of the Violence at the U.S. Capitol

One year ago today, hundreds of rioters stormed our nation’s Capitol in an unprecedented attack aimed at destabilizing our democracy. The violence claimed multiple lives and threatened the safety and wellbeing of all those in and around Capitol Hill.

As the policy and advocacy arm of New Profit, America Forward works in close partnership with federal policymakers, staff, and advocates — many of whom were on Capitol Hill one year ago — to advance equity, expand opportunity, and strengthen our communities in the face of deep, persistent challenges. One year later, the strength and resiliency of those individuals and our democracy has shone through, and our collective resolve to bolster our democratic, education, and workforce systems remains steadfast.

January 6, 2021 marked a dark milestone in our nation’s history, but in the face of ongoing threats to our democratic ideals, America Forward remains dedicated to working with our friends on Capitol Hill, our partners, and our Coalition members to overcome systemic racism, hatred, and violence by fostering meaningful and impactful civic engagement, centering the voices of proximate leaders, advancing equity, and breaking down barriers to access and opportunity.

We continue to hold those lost and impacted by the trauma of the Capitol riot in our hearts, and we stand firm in our conviction to pursue policy changes that will strengthen both our communities and our democracy.