John,
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: What happened on January 6 didn't happen in a vacuum.
The Capitol insurrection was the result of fascistic rhetoric, long-fomented white nationalism, and systematic failures and allowances by the Capitol Police. We need to understand exactly how we got here, and hold these insurrectionists accountable along with the government officials who incited and encouraged them.
Legislation like Jamaal's COUP Act will help us do just that: Hold the parties responsible accountable. But some members of Congress are pushing to expand our domestic terrorism laws, which will further erode our human and civil rights.
That's why we're joining Rashida Tlaib, AOC, Cori Bush, and a number of other candidates and organizations to urge Congress to halt the expansion of national security powers at the expense of our rights.
Our national government already has the tools, resources, and authority needed to investigate and hold accountable the people who participated in January 6th's insurrection. It's just a matter of political will.
Expanding national security powers is not the answer to solving this issue. As history shows us, doing so would disproportionately target, surveil, and criminalize already over-policed communities of color and religious minorities — the same marginalized groups that are targeted by white nationalists.
Over 150 civil and human rights groups, along with progressive members of Congress, have sent a letter to congressional leadership opposing any expansion of our national security powers. Now, we need members of the public to do the same.
Thank you for speaking up.
In solidarity,
Team Bowman
