Washington, DC — In 2021, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of U.S. Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol during the insurrection on January 6th of that year. The ongoing lawsuit names former President Donald J. Trump, his 2020 campaign, the Proud Boys, and other individuals alleged to be responsible for the insurrection. On the four-year mark of the January 6, 2021 attack, the Lawyers’ Committee released the following statement from President and Executive Director, Damon T. Hewitt:
“January 6, 2021, is a date that will live in infamy. On that day, the norms and foundations of our democracy—the promise of free and fair elections, the protection of every ballot cast, and the peaceful transfer of power—came under violent attack.
“A mob provoked by disinformation and aided by extremist groups like the Proud Boys sought to overturn the will of the people and silence the voices of millions of voters, particularly those from Black and Brown communities. Lawmakers across the political spectrum were put in grave danger of physical harm. Our clients—U.S. Capitol police officers who stood on the frontlines defending life, property, and the core ideals of our democracy—were beaten, pepper sprayed, subjected to racial slurs, and put in fear for their lives. Some officers died in connection to the attack or suffered lifelong injuries.
“As alleged in our civil lawsuit filed on behalf of Capitol Police officers harmed by the attack, Donald Trump,the Proud Boys and other named defendants are responsible for provoking and abetting those heinous acts. Yet, they have avoided responsibility. They must be held accountable for our country to move forward and so that the violence we saw then will never happen again. With the criminal proceedings ending, pardons likely, and with the political process shifting its gaze elsewhere, our civil rights lawsuit stands as one of the last opportunities to deliver justice for our clients.
“This somber anniversary shows that democracy cannot defend itself. We must all step forward and do our part. For our part, the Lawyers’ Committee will continue to demand accountability until justice is served.”
