JCRC Statement
January 7, 2021
Washington DC - Jan. 6, 2021 - The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington condemns the lawlessness and violence taking place in our nation’s capital. Today, the JCRC issued the following statement:
“Today’s attack on the most precious of American democratic traditions, the peaceful transfer of power, is reprehensible. The riots and loss of life are the inevitable result of President Trump’s and others’ incitement and the spreading of misinformation and conspiracy theories about theft and fraudulence in our presidential election, the fairness and authenticity of which have been confirmed by Republican and Democratic state and national elected officials and by multiple federal and state courts. Any attempt to undermine the rule of law is a threat to all American citizens, and today’s riots must be rejected by leaders from across the political spectrum.
The diverse Jewish community in the nation’s capital is united in declaring that the actions of the lawless rioters who stormed the United States Capitol today are outrageous and unacceptable. The right to peacefully protest is a cornerstone of our democratic tradition of dissent, but this violent attack on our democracy, our elected officials, our citizens, and our law-enforcement officers is a disgrace to all Americans.
As the third largest Jewish community in America, with more than 300,000 individuals in the national capital region, we pray for the safety of our family, friends, and neighbors—many of whom serve our country with pride at the Capitol complex, and for the safety of our local police forces from the District, Maryland, and Virginia who are now attempting to restore order.”