Statement from Shamil Idriss, CEO, Search for Common Ground
For interviews, please contact:
Mark Daley | [email protected] | +1 (202) 779-1854
Chief of Development, Marketing, Communications
Search for Common Ground
Massimiliano Colonna | [email protected] | +1 (202) 768-7539
Director of Communications
Search for Common Ground
WASHINGTON, DC — The storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was a shocking reflection of what happens when unresolved conflicts fester for years, extremist views are fueled by polarizing media, and irresponsible leaders choose to exploit divides rather than reconcile them.
The sound of flash grenades, the imposition of a curfew, and the fear that swept across Washington, DC – where Search for Common Ground’s headquarters is located – offered Americans a glimpse of the destructive power of political violence which many of our colleagues around the world know well.
Compounding the day’s trauma, the response by law enforcement stood in stark contrast to the way in which mostly peaceful demonstrations for racial justice were confronted forcefully in 2020, laying bare the continuing need to address persistent racial injustice in our society.
It is easy to feel helpless: the dynamics that led to the storming of the Capitol took years to fester and will take years to undo, even with a change in political leadership. To many it seems we may be on a slide toward escalating violent conflict which cannot be reversed.
But this is an illusion. In reality, we have a choice.
This moment could awaken us to the destructive cost of political violence. It could motivate citizens of good will across the political spectrum to seek each other out across our differences. It could be a turning point for Americans to decide to take a different path, together. This does not have to be a moment which solidifies the dividing lines between us.
Violence is a choice, and so is peace. To make that choice, we can:
— Strengthen our commitment to work through differences proactively, peacefully, and respectfully.
Moments before the assault on the U.S. Capitol, the most senior Republican and Democratic legislators were working together in that building to process the peaceful transition of power. This is a process many have taken for granted over the United States’ 250-year history, but it is the foundational starting point for everything else. We can support those leaders who have maintained a commitment to this sacred principle of resolving political differences peacefully and demonstrate our commitment to that same principle in our engagement with our fellow citizens.
— Work together to dismantle the enabling environment for violent extremism.
The events of January 6 could signal the breaking of a fever that has been building in the U.S. for years, but only if we commit to address the scourges that fuel extremist violence: misinformation, persistent injustice, unresolved grievances, and irresponsible leadership. This is a challenge that requires years of effort from government and citizens alike to overcome. Encouragingly, the budget recently approved by Congress with bipartisan support includes significant funding for violence prevention and community-led efforts to address homegrown extremism. And citizens have the opportunity now to come together and make our voices heard on important questions of culture and policy: how we use and regulate social media, how we define and deal with hate speech, and how we support security and intelligence efforts to identify violent extremists before they act while protecting the civil rights that are the bedrock of our nation.
— Demonstrate empathy for our fellow citizens and reignite hope for our society.
All change begins with individuals and all positive change requires hope. An important step that every citizen can take, no matter your position or resources, is to exercise the muscles of empathy and exhibit care for one another. Doing so will not only provide support to one another at this difficult time, but is also the surest path to find, in one another, the hope and the solidarity to create a healthier shared society. This moment — when many are feeling hurt, traumatized, and hopeless — is precisely the right time to begin.
