Pelosi lauds lawmakers, Congress holds moment of silence on Jan 6 anniversary

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked law enforcement officers and congressional personnel who fought protesters during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

“That day and the days after, they were the defenders of our democracy and their courage and patriotism remain an inspiration,” Pelosi said.

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“Because of them, Congress was able to defeat the insurrection, to return to the Capitol that same night to ensure the peaceful transfer of power took place. Because of them, and our members, the insurrection failed,” she continued.

She also praised lawmakers for carrying out their responsibility of certifying the Electoral College result in the early hours of the morning following the disturbance.

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“There have been continued assaults on our democracy, undermining the sanctity of the vote and the integrity of our elections, which are the basis of our democracy. Let us be true to the vision of our founders, who brilliantly established our democracy and made it a model for the world,” Pelosi said.

She took a minute of silence to honour slain officers on the House floor on Thursday.

During the attack, rioters destroyed the building and assaulted police officers, killing five individuals. Three persons died as a result of apparent medical emergencies, including one woman who was fatally shot by police.

In an earlier interview on Wednesday, Pelosi had said, “Democracy won.”

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“Make no mistake, our democracy was on the brink of catastrophe,” she said. “Democracy won that night. “These people, because of the courageous work of the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police and others, were deterred in their action to stop the peaceful transfer of power. They lost.”

“This has to be a period of remembrance, of reconciliation,” she said, pulling in an example set by former President Abraham Lincoln.

Pelosi added, “Lincoln said, With malice toward none, with charity toward all” as the Civil War was ending. “We have to extend the hand of friendship.”