About 30 people took part in a rally on Thursday, Jan. 6 in front of Whittier City Hall, in memory of the one-year anniversary of when thousands of people violently stormed the U.S. Capitol hoping to overturn the outcome of the presidential election.
“We are all here today to remember and to mark the anniversary of the 2021 insurrection,” said community activist Maggie Moe, who emceed the rally and candlelight vigil.
Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Norwalk, the keynote speaker, said she is worried that America’s democracy is in a fragile state.
“We need Americans of all political stripes to stand up and say that lies will not be tolerated, intimidation and violence will not be accepted and free and fair elections are a mark of democracy,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez recalled being told to put a gas mask on and, with her chief of staff, to lay on the floor of her office after being urged to shelter in place.
“It was complete chaos,” she said.
Richard Procida, the founder of Truth and Democracy Coalition who organized the event, called on Congress pass legislation to protect voting rights.
“We cannot have some states where the right to vote is protected and others where voting is suppressed,” he said.
Community activist Rolando Cano, who also is running for mayor of Whittier, asked people to remember those who were hurt during the melee, especially Officer Brian Sicknick, who died the day after the attack.
“Let’s become aware and stand up for the memory of the officer and everyone who was terrorized that day,” Cano said