A Dark Day For All Americans: SWC Denounces Storming of Nation's Capitol

January 6, 2021

Statement by Rabbi Marvin Hier, Simon Wiesenthal Center Founder and Dean, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action:

“The right to protest is sacrosanct in American life. But the very values and rights bestowed by our democracy are degraded and diminished when police officers have to draw their guns to protect our duly elected officials in the heart of our nation by violent protesters who have stormed Congress and by their reckless and dangerous behavior have inflicted grievous wounds on our nation.

Nothing, not even the emotional charges of voter fraud in a presidential election, can ever legitimize or excuse such behavior.

For as the Talmud warns, ‘Pray for the welfare of the government, for without it... man would swallow his fellow man.’

Today is a dark day for all Americans.”