AACTE Statement on the Storming of the U.S. Capitol Building

(January 7, 2021, Washington, D.C.) The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement today regarding the horrific events that took place yesterday at the U.S. Capitol building:

“Our nation experienced a serious threat to our treasured democracy as rioters stormed one of our nation’s sacred buildings, the U.S. Capitol, intending damage and insurrection. We witnessed a challenge to our democracy that none of us could ever have imagined. Generated by our nation’s President, some Members of Congress, and their denial of the results of our free and open electoral process, this unlawful invasion of the Capitol has left us all stunned. Never could we imagine such an event would occur in our nation’s capital, the seat of our democracy.

We are further outraged by the vast difference in how these rioters were treated by police as compared to how peaceful protesters for Black Lives Matter have been treated. The discrepancies are stark and maddening.

As educators, we hold our responsibility to instill the values of democracy in our students as a core mission. We reinforce the will of the people by honoring the outcome of elections. We believe in equal opportunity and fairness for all citizens, and we name violations when we see them.

The denigration of our democracy we experienced was fueled by incendiary rhetoric and unfounded allegations. We will not allow them to stand. Today, we renew our commitment to resisting hate and restoring hope, to our compact with Americans to promote the common good, to ensure equity, and to bring forth the American spirit that is the foundation of our nation.

AACTE joins with like-minded citizens around the country who are determined to preserve our democracy and ensure the continuation of free and fair elections. Together, we will rise above the recklessness of these actions and focus on the peaceful transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President elect Kamala Harris on January 20. We join our education colleagues in working tirelessly to ensure an inclusive, equitable and just society.”

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About AACTE: The Leading Voice on Educator Preparation

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is a national alliance of educator preparation programs and partners dedicated to high-quality, evidence-based preparation that assures educators are profession-ready as they enter the classroom. The 700 member institutions include public and private colleges and universities in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Through advocacy and capacity building, AACTE promotes innovation and effective practices that strengthen educator preparation. Learn more at www.aacte.org.