Meng Issues Statement on One-Year Anniversary of January 6
January 6, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) today issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of January 6.
"The January 6 insurrection was an assault on our democracy. It shook our country to the core, and we continue to reel from the violence and bloodshed that rioters unleashed on the sacred grounds of the U.S. Capitol, all in a seditious attempt to overturn a fair, free, and peaceful election.
That shocking and harrowing day was terrifying. For hours, I was barricaded in a room off the House floor as the angry mob marched right outside my door. I feared for my life and called loved ones asking them to pray for me as these insurrectionists, spurred by then-President Trump, stormed the halls of Congress. I continue to be offended, appalled, and disgusted over the havoc and damage that they wreaked and their weaponizing of the American flag, and all Americans should feel the same regardless of party affiliation.
So many whose lives were put in harm's way continue to be affected by the horror that they were forced to endure; not just Members of Congress but congressional staff members, members of the media, Capitol employees, and our brave Capitol and Washington Metropolitan police officers, especially the families of those who lost their lives after heroically defending the People's House. We continue to grieve their loss and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
Hundreds have been charged for their roles in the attack and it is crucial that those responsible continue to be brought to justice.
Many questions about January 6 remain unanswered; from who was involved, the security, coordination and communications failures that occurred, and the actions of former President Trump and his apparent refusal to stop the chaos. That is why I voted over the summer to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate what happened, and already it has interviewed more than 300 witnesses and secured thousands of pages of records.
It is essential for the American people to have accountability and the truth. We deserve nothing less, and I am hopeful that we will find out these answers as the panel continues its vital work.
The insurrection is still surreal to me, and I continue to see the destructive and violent images of rioters when I walk through the Capitol. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of the attack, we must all stand united against the heinous acts that occurred on that dark day in our nation's history. We must continue to address the hurt and pain that it has caused, the healing that needs to still take place, and do everything in our power to ensure that a situation like this never ever happens again."