On Jan. 6th, Rep. Kenyatta introduces two bills related to the failed insurrection

HARRISBURG, Jan. 6 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta D-Phila., reintroduced a bill that designates Jan 6th as “Democracy Observance Day,” as well as a resolution with Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., that would formally condemn the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021.

On Jan. 6, 2021, while Congress met to officially tally the Electoral College votes for president, a violent mob of domestic terrorists descended upon the Capitol building and forcibly entered its hallowed halls. As lawmakers and staff barricaded themselves in secure locations, the insurrectionists proceeded to pillage offices, destroy property and assault law enforcement personnel. Still others paraded around the chambers of the House and Senate and smiled for photographs while pilfering public property.

“January 6, 2021 was a shameful day in our nation’s history and if we don’t remember and learn from it, we are doomed to repeat it,” Kenyatta said. “Violent insurrectionists armed with weapons and lies told by former President Trump and Republican leaders about the 2020 presidential election led to this attack; he did nothing to stop the violence. Because of this rhetoric, lives were lost, including members of law enforcement.”

Kenyatta continued, “We must make sure that any attack on our governing body’s is condemned.”

“Our nation is not impervious to fascism, authoritarianism or extremism. But we cannot fight these evils unless and until we acknowledge some painful truths about how long-standing kyriarchy — intersectional systems of oppression — inspired the tragedy that befell us on this dark day two years ago,” Rabb said. “If we truly value freedom, we must reconcile ourselves with the complex truths behind this failed coup attempt by armed insurrectionists. Without facing these truths head on, we cannot move past the events of January 6th – both its origins and aftermath.”