Instilling Hope in Dark Times
Today at 1 p.m.Congress will meet in a joint session to certify the results of the 2024 Presidential election. The session will be chaired by Vice-President Kamala Harris who has pledged a peaceful and orderly transition to the new administration --- a stark contrast to four years ago when a militant and dangerous mob attacked the Capitol and disrupted proceedings. At least seven people lost their lives in connection with the attack and more than 140 police officers were injured. The insurrection forced lawmakers to flee the Capitol and pushed the nation to the brink of a constitutional crisis. The catalyst, of course, was the refusal of then-President Donald J. Trump to accept the election results and his efforts to stop the certification process.
The aftermath of the attack produced the biggest criminal investigation in U.S. history, including federal charges against Trump. To date, more than 1,500 rioters have been charged, and 1,100 sentenced as a result of guilty pleas or convictions. Those accused include 76 people from Florida, including at least seven from the Jacksonville area. Sadly, all charges against Trump were dropped following his re-election in 2024.
Trump has promised to use the broad powers of the presidency to pardon the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, as soon as he assumes office. While constitutional experts agree that the move is legal, it would be, as Joyce Vance describes,"an appalling, unprecedented violation of the trust the American people place in their leaders."
If and how Trump follows through on this pledge to pardon those he has called "political prisoners" and "great patriots" remains to be seen. We are indeed in dark times.
BAM will host its first gathering of 2025 on Thursday, January 9th at 7 p.m. at the Adele Grage Community Center to explore how we can find hope and successfully resist during the next four years. Join us for a different look at the 2024 election results with special guest Dr. Scott Matthews, FSCJ professor of history, as he offers Light from the Past: How History Can Instill Hope During Dark Times. Bring your questions, enjoy a cup of hot cider, and share the camaraderie of like-minded friends! RSVP below (apologies for the broken link last week!). We have great plans for 2025!
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