Senator Biaggi's Message to the Community Regarding the Attack on the Capitol in Washington D.C.

Dear Community,

The attack on the Capitol in Washington D.C. was an act of domestic terrorism, and a direct assault on our democracy and the safety of the American people. What we witnessed was a violent attempt to violate the U.S. Constitution and a horrific display of white supremacy and privilege. 

President Trump and his co-conspirators directly incited and encouraged this armed and violent insurrection against the United States Government, with the express purpose of preventing the peaceful transfer of power and overturning the results of a free and fair election.

Under no circumstances should a mob of rioters trying to undermine the results of a democratic election – armed with guns, Confederate flags, and symbols of fascism and anti-semitism – have been able to enter the Capitol building. The insurrectionists trespassed on and destroyed Federal property, including flagrantly looting the Capitol, and openly bragged about their exploits on social media. I am absolutely appalled by the lack of leadership to prevent this from happening, and the hypocrisy displayed by law enforcement in their lenient response to a mob of white supremacists. The rioters who participated in this egregious attack on our nation, and those who enabled them, must be held accountable and justice must be served to the fullest extent of the law. 

While I am shaken by what has occurred, I am not shocked. This grave act of corruption has been written on the wall from the moment Donald Trump took office. For the last four years, President Trump has spewed lies and deliberately encouraged violence and racism – the storming of the Capitol was that rhetoric in action. This is just another tragic example of why Trump is a threat to the American people and was never fit for the presidency, and he should be impeached immediately. 

That being said, the President did not create this destruction on his own. He has been enabled and actively supported by every member of his cabinet and hundreds of Republican Senators and Congressional representatives. They too have blood on their hands, and must be held responsible. I strongly believe that any lawmaker or government official, present or future, who is complicit in lying to the public, violating the United States Constitution, inciting violence and racism, and denying people their human rights and civil liberties has no business representing the American people.

This week the New York State Legislature had our first day of session, kicking off the start of the 2021 Legislative season. While session will look different this year as we mostly report to Albany virtually, it will not change the way I show up for District 34. The challenges we face are steep, but I am ready to fight like hell to deliver relief and justice for our communities. 

Let’s get to work.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi