Out of unrest, democracy rises
Sun shines through the woods along River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
The U.S. Congress showed the world that although the U.S. Capitol was overrun on Wednesday, democracy was forging ahead.
Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were confirmed as the next president and vice president of the United States, as lawmakers finished counting the electoral votes at nearly 3:30 a.m. Thursday. The process began early Wednesday afternoon, but protesters supporting President Donald Trump (R) eventually stormed the building, and Congress members, staff and journalists were evacuated from the chambers.
The Capitol was secured by early evening, and Congress was prepared to take that fundamental, last step toward completing the electoral process. However, that long step was more than just a completion of a process. It answered the call of many people who were weary after the Wednesday's unrest, and thirsting for a sense of shared, common humanity.
By virtue of lawmakers' firm resolve and under law enforcement's protection, the will of the people was preserved. Democracy was protected. Next, we must restore it. We must make it last, and that comes only through working with each other to support its honorable higher ideals. That work is underway, and it begins with vigilance, to make sure the underpinnings of democracy remain intact. That's a concept Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black spoke of in his closing prayer at the end of the historic joint session Thursday.
"We have been warned that eternal vigilance continues to be freedom's price," he said.
Black continued, "Lord, you have helped us remember that we need to see in each other a common humanity that reflects your image. ... Use us to bring healing and unity to our hurting and divided nation and world."
To heal, unify and restore our democracy is the greatest task before this country. After being sworn in for a new term in office this week, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican who has long opposed Trump, spoke of that fundamental need and lamented Wednesday's events in D.C.
"It ... shows just how divided our country has become and how desperately we need to heal and be united once again," he said. "Because we simply can’t go on like this any longer, and as elected officials, we all have a responsibility to step up and show the way."
The moment the electoral process was behind us, that way became clearer. That act dispelled some of the fog that had gathered in democracy's path, and it was the first step toward restoring hope that had been shaken.
To be clear, many, many steps remain to even sustain that hope over the long term. But meanwhile, in the short term, we forge ahead. We put one foot down, then the other, and we walk this journey. It will still feature many foggy, uncertain paths. Some may frighten us. But if we all "step up" to walk that journey together, we can make progress knowing we have each other's support, and the ability to rally around the cause of democracy. Together, we can oppose and defeat anything that would threaten our resolve. As we have already proven this week, even in the face of severe challenges, democracy rises, and justice overcomes.
— Gareth Henderson
