Fresno vigil honors victims of Jan. 6 Capitol attack, calls for more voter protections
A peaceful vigil outside of Fresno City Hall on Thursday on the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol honored those hurt during the violence, with supporters calling for a renewed sense of civic engagement, democracy, and voting right’s protections.
With speeches, poetry, and song, an estimated 70 community members, grassroots organizations, and faith and city leaders joined in a reflection on the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“January 6th there was a violent and deadly attack against all Americans,” said Brian Bobbitt, founder of watchdog organization, The Watch California, and co-host of the vigil with the progressive public advocacy group, MoveOn.
“There was an attack against against our country, our democracy and our freedom as voters to keep the leaders that represent us.”
‘Democracy isn’t violent’
Fresno city councilmember Mike Karbassi spoke at Thursday’s vigil, and commended the peaceful nature of the event.
“This is how you peacefully protest and stand up for what you believe in,” said Karbassi. “Violence isn’t strength. For all of those that think they want to hide behind the flag, if you really stand for America, you will believe that democracy isn’t violent.”
Another speaker, Randy Witt, who lives on a horse ranch in Clovis, said he came out to remember the officers that protected the legislators, their assistants, and their families that were in the Capitol on Jan. 6. “Many of them were injured and some of them died. Some of them killed themselves (because) they were so traumatized while protecting our lawmakers,” said Witt.
“It needs to be remembered in some way and I’m glad it’s peaceful today. I’m glad to see that we don’t have any Proud Boys showing up or any of the Three Percenters,” said Witt.
Lourin Hubbard, a progressive candidate eyeing Devin Nunes’ former seat in California’s 22nd congressional district, said that while the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack brings up “anger” and “shock,” it also serves as an lesson for how to move forward.
“After Jan. 6, we know what the stakes are now,” he said. “We know that’s gonna take some hard work. But we’re Americans, we’re used to hard work. We need to speak to those that have felt left out and forgotten and unseen in our current political system.”
Speakers call for Congress to pass voting rights act
Multiple speakers at Thursday afternoon’s vigil also addressed the rising number of laws enacted across the country that would limit the access to voting.
“The same faction that attacked our country on January 6 is hard at work silencing our voices by restricting our freedom to vote, attacking fair voters districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections and within our own democracy,” said Bobbitt.
An analysis by the Brennan Center, a nonpartisan law and policy institute, found that between Jan. 1 and Dec. 7 of 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting. Additionally, they found that more than 440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 49 states during the 2021 legislative sessions.
“I’m very concerned about what’s going on,” said Pam Whalen, community organizing director of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
Whalen and others spoke in favor of HR 4, the federal legislation designed to strengthen voter protections.
The legislation, also known as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, is supported supported by Fresno Democractic Rep., Jim Costa.
“We need to put as much pressure as we can on the Senate (to pass the legislation),” said Whalen.
The bill, which faces Republican opposition, is currently stalled in the Senate.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 7:59 PM.
