RALEIGH, N.C. - After acts of violence at the U.S. Capitol temporarily disrupted the certification of the Electoral College vote, Chantal Stevens, executive director of the ACLU of North Carolina issued the following statement:
“Today, we witnessed a failed coup attempt when a lawless mob stormed our Capitol intending to repudiate the outcome of a free and fair election. Such acts are disturbing and the result of years of undermining democratic norms, systems, and institutions.
"Our organization is committed to protecting free speech and the right to protest, but today’s actions were neither. This was an act of violence incited by political actors.
"For years, we have seen events that demonstrate how systemic racism manifests in our country. This is yet another example. Far too often we witnessed unarmed Black people being murdered or maimed by law enforcement. Peaceful protests seeking justice and accountability are often also met with police violence. Today's restrained response to undemocratic violence was a stark contrast and a clear demonstration of the normalization of white supremacy.
"The ACLU of North Carolina strongly condemns today’s violent acts."
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