Alliance for Peacebuilding Statement on U.S. Peacebuilding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2021
CONTACT
Stephanie Budaker | stephanie@allianceforpeacebuilding.org
Washington, D.C., USA. – The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) and its 130+ membership strongly condemn the unprecedented, deadly, and illegal violence on January 6, in the U.S. Capitol—the effects of which are still reverberating throughout the US and around the world.
On November 3, 2020, the American people cast their ballots for the next U.S. President in one of the most secure elections in history. More Americans voted than ever before, even as a global pandemic raged throughout the country, demonstrating their commitment to the democratic process. Despite baseless claims of fraud, litigated extensively through the judiciary, which serves as a check and balance on the democratic process to ensure free and fair elections, Joseph R. Biden was elected as the next President of the US and sworn in on January 20th.
Hallmarks of American democracy are its peaceful transition of power and citizens' ability to protest peacefully. However, the violent display of lawlessness seeking to subvert the democratic process resulted from years of growing polarization, income inequality, perceived group loss of social status and influence, and dangerous, inflammatory rhetoric, including misinformation, by elected leaders and partisan media.
AfP applauds political leaders, particularly Republican elected officials, who have courageously stood up to denounce the attack on the US. Capitol, demand individuals who participated in and are responsible for the deadly violence be held accountable and assert that the elections were legitimate. AfP calls on all elected officials to publicly demand a stop to the violence and inflammatory rhetoric and unequivocally affirm the legitimacy of the elections.
AfP also commends business leaders and all public voices that have not only condemned the violence and the inflammatory rhetoric but have ended political campaign contributions and shut down access to their technology as vehicles of mis- and disinformation. AfP calls on leaders from all sectors, including business, civil society, and the faith community, to denounce violence, threats, and inflammatory rhetoric and use their influence to promote the rule of law and uphold the democratic process.
The events last week mark a dark moment in U.S. history. AfP has been concerned about the increasing conflict dynamics, growing violence, and polarization in the US, but is greatly encouraged by courageous individuals, organizations, and corporations working to prevent violent conflict and build peace. The unprecedented collaboration of local, national, and international organizations and networks that came together to create an early warning platform is a testament to the potential for the formation of a robust conflict prevention infrastructure.
Conflict in every society is inevitable, but violent conflict is not. We believe this national tragedy will accelerate a much-needed national and local conflict prevention and peacebuilding movement that will work to rebuild our democratic institutions and address long-standing grievances, including systemic racism, injustice, and economic inequality.
President Biden called on a deeply divided nation to unite and heal. To do so, the new Administration must act swiftly to develop an urgent and bold peacebuilding and conflict prevention plan that addresses the drivers of conflict and extremism and prevents and reduces violence. However, it will take resources and a sustained long-term commitment at all levels of government and citizenry to transform the US into a society that is truly equitable, just, and fair for all Americans.
For more details, please see recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration from AfP’s U.S. Peacebuilding Working Group on building sustainable peace and preventing violence in the US.
Endorsing Organizations:
Alliance for Middle East Peace
Alliance for Peacebuilding
The Carter Center
CDA Collaborative Learning
Center for Policy Analysis for Horn of Africa
Cure Violence Global
Equal Access International
Forage Center for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
InterAction
Karuna Center for Peacebuilding
Mediators Beyond Borders International
Parallel Networks
PartnersGlobal
+Peace
Peace Catalyst International
Peace Initiative Network
Police2Peace
Search for Common Ground
Urban Rural Action
War Prevention Initiative
If your organization would like to endorse this statement please complete the online form here.
With over 130 member organizations, AfP brings together the largest development organizations, most innovative academic institutions, and influential humanitarian and faith-based groups to harness collective action for peace. We build coalitions in key areas of strategy and policy to elevate the entire peacebuilding field, tackling issues too large for any one organization to address alone.