(AUSTIN) — Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, made the following statement regarding the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021:

"We the people should never tolerate violence as a substitute for discourse, especially when it threatens the very fabric of our democracy. "Peaceful protest" is not an appropriate term for the shameful riots, vandalism, disruption, breaking and entering, and acts of physical and property violence at our U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This date tragically will be memorialized as a dark day of infamy in our history.

"The world witnessed a shameful attempt at mob rule, fomented by misinformation and conspiracy theories, to overturn the results of a free and fair election. Those who know better deliberately and maliciously aided and abetted the failed coup. May they learn from the chaos that ensued, and may they never again travel on that road to chaos. Anything less would be an abject failure to meet the promise of our beloved nation.

"Elected and appointed leaders—at all levels and of all parties—owe the public the truth and a shared commitment to democratic values over short-term personal or partisan advantage. My prayer is that President-Elect Joe Biden, his team, and all elected leaders will engage in positive and productive leadership and collaboration to restore this country to civility, cooperation, and bipartisanship in the best interest of the people. What we saw yesterday is what happens when we don't honor these values."

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