Dear Arlington friends and neighbors,
Like most people across the world, we in Arlington were horrified and saddened by the January 6 attack on the nation's Capitol.
These acts were both an assault on the fundamentals of our democratic government and a clear reflection of the threat of white supremacy in the United States. As an attack on our democracy, the events of January 6 were an effort to dismantle our electoral process, undermine our government institutions, and threaten our elected officials. That these attacks were incited by other elected officials is especially outrageous.
The AHRC is particularly concerned about the apparent white supremacist intentions of many of the attackers. While peaceful racial-justice protests have been met with force, the inadequate response to this organized attack is a troubling symptom of institutional racism at all levels.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Inciting or perpetuating violence is not. The intentional promotion of lies and misinformation undermines our democracy. The AHRC encourages open conversations with diverse people and groups, to uphold our country’s democratic principles and counter these attacks.
What can we do?
Use resources to learn about/change systemic racism: - AHRC website - UMass Antiracism Resources | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - The Legacy Museum - Equal Justice Initiative: Political Violence and Racial Inequality in America
Engage in AHRC Black history month programming. - Details are available here
Use resources to talk to family members, children, and those who have opposing views: - Talking to Kids About Fake News - Making Space for Difficult Conversations - NPR: Helping kids make sense of the news - PBS Classroom resource
Take care of yourself
Arlington values equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to building a community where everyone is heard, respected, and protected.
Email: ahrc@town.arlington.ma.us
Phone: 781-316-3250
By Mail: 27 Maple Street
Arlington, MA 02476