RALEIGH, N.C. – The January 6 committee investigating the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol held its first primetime public hearing on Thursday. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina issued the following statement:
“The House committee’s first public hearing on the January 6 insurrection confirmed and documented what we already knew. Donald Trump pursued a sophisticated plan to overturn the presidential election and prevent the transfer of presidential power. The visceral footage of far-right Trump supporters waving symbols of white supremacy and storming the Capitol serves as a frightening reminder of a dark day in the history of our country.
“The hearing also highlighted the major role played by the far-right extremist groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers in the violence. The Proud Boys are an all-too-common occurrence in North Carolina, as they routinely show up at school board meetings, threatening teachers and shouting racist and homophobic slurs at students.
“The efforts that resulted in the January 6 attempted coup are continuing. Our democracy remains in danger. In North Carolina and throughout the country, politicians continue to jeopardize and sacrifice democratic principles, by advancing legislation to restrict our right to vote and further marginalize our most vulnerable communities.
“History has shown the harm of failing to collectively understand the consequences of pivotal moments like the January 6 insurrection. While it is critical to stay engaged in these hearings and share their findings, we must do much more than just look backwards. We need to hold perpetrators accountable. Our democracy is at stake.”
Note: The January 6 committee is expected to hold five more public hearings, the next of which will take place on Monday, June 13, at 10 a.m. You can watch the hearings live on major broadcast networks or via this link.