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Rashida Tlaib, Congressman US Democrats
“I urge my colleagues: Please, please take seriously what happened on January 6th.
Otherwise it will lead to more deaths. "
What happened on January 6th is still remembered very clearly by those who were directly affected by it.
From the hateful mob that stormed the heart of American democracy, the Capitol.
Encouraged by its own president, Donald Trump.
Just a few days ago, the Democratic MP Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described her traumatic experiences that day in a social media video.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Congressman
“And then suddenly I hear these screams: Where is she?
Where is she?"
Now she was followed by other Democratic Congressmen.
Many were scared to death at the attack.
Cori Bush, Missouri Congressman
“I remember sitting in the office with my team and thinking, I feel like I have stepped back in this minute.
I feel like this is one of those days out there when the white supremacists show up and shoot us.
One of the days when the police ambush us behind trees and buildings.
And suddenly we are lying on the ground and being treated brutally.
And I remember thinking: If you touch these doors ... If you break these doors down and get anywhere near my team ... And I'm just being honest now, my train of thought was: We'll fight to the end. "
Dean Philipps, Minnesota Congressman
“Just before the Chamber was stormed, I yelled at my colleagues to follow me.
Across the passage to the Republic side of the chamber so we could mingle with them.
I thought the insurgents trying to break down the doors here would spare us if they thought we were Republicans.
But after a few moments, I realized that "mixing in" wasn't an option for my dark-skinned colleagues.
I stand here tonight to say to my brothers and sisters in Congress and throughout our country that I am sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Because I had never understood, really understood what privileges really mean. "
Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Congressman
“As many of my closest colleagues know, I received my first death threat on the first day of my induction.
She was to be taken seriously, they took me aside.
The FBI had to visit this man's house.
I hadn't even been sworn in and someone wanted me dead just because I existed.
Later came more things, it got uglier, more violent, one celebrated the massacre in New Zealand and hoped that something like this would happen again, another mentioned my dear son Adam.
He mentioned him by name.
Each of these threats paralyzed me every time.
On January 6th, I could only thank Allah for not being here.
I felt incredibly relieved, and I feel bad for Alexandria, for so many of my colleagues who have been here.
But when I saw it I thought, thank God I'm not here. "
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned not to let memories of that day fade too quickly.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Congresswoman
“Some are already calling for us to move on.
Or worse, they try to discredit or belittle the survivors' reports.
In doing so, they not only harm those who were there that day and cover those responsible, but also send an extremely harmful message to the survivors of trauma across the country. "
Many see Donald Trump as being primarily responsible for the storm on the Capitol.
The subsequent impeachment proceedings against him should begin next week.
A majority of Republican members of Congress have spoken out against it.
