ICYMI: VP Harris Marks the Third Anniversary of the Deadly Assault on the U.S. Capitol by Holding Extremists Accountable

"On That Day, We Saw Violence, Chaos, and Lawlessness:" Vice President Harris Marks Third Anniversary of the Deadly Assault on the U.S. Capitol by Holding Extremists Accountable For Their Continued Attack on Fundamental Freedoms

"On January 6th, we were reminded that even though, yes, we have come a mighty long way, we still have far to go and we still have work to do," said Vice President Harris while addressing members of the AME Church's Women's Missionary Society

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Today, Vice President Kamala Harris marked the third anniversary of the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol while delivering the keynote address at the 7th Episcopal District AME Church Women's Missionary Society annual retreat. During her seventh visit to South Carolina since being sworn in, the Vice President continued to lead on calling out extremists across the country who "try to silence the voice of the people."

"Remember where you were three years ago today, January 6, 2021, when a mob violently attacked the United States Capitol. They used brutal force and fear to try and overturn the results of a free and fair election. They tried to overrule the votes of millions of Americans," said Vice President Harris. "On that day, we saw violence, chaos, and lawlessness but some so-called leaders still try to mislead and gaslight by claiming it was a peaceful protest…these extremist leaders say that the group was led by, quote, great patriots."

Vice President Harris once again addressed the "full-on attack on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms" that is taking place as extremists "are trying to pull us backward." This includes attacks on the freedom for women to make decisions about their own bodies, the freedom to live safe from gun violence, the freedom to vote, the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water, the freedom to love who you love, and the freedom to learn America's full history – "for example, the Civil War, which must I really have to say was about slavery."

"On the one side, they want to ban books. On the other side, we want to ban assault weapons," said Vice President Harris. "They think government should tell a woman what to do with her body. We trust women to know what is in their own best interest, and women trust us to protect their fundamental freedoms. We fight to protect the sacred freedom to vote while they try to silence the voice of the people."

The Vice President also highlighted how the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of the American people and deliver for families across the country.

"We are now connecting every family in South Carolina and across our nation with high-speed internet. Because you voted and organized in 2020, we are removing every lead pipe in our nation...we were able to invest more than $7 billion in our HBCUs," said Vice President Harris. "As Vice President, I was able to confront the issue of Black maternal mortality…I was then able to challenge the states to expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum care from 2 months to 12 months. And now, instead of when I started – only three states – as a result of my call, I am pleased to report 42 states now offer women a full year of postpartum coverage including the women here in South Carolina. Because you voted and organized in 2020, President Biden and I have appointed more Black women judges than any Administration in history including the first Black woman to ever sit on the highest court in our land: her name is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson."

Following today's visit to South Carolina, the Vice President will travel to Atlanta, GA on Tuesday to convene community leaders who are on the frontlines of the fight for voting rights and other fundamental freedoms. Last week, she began 2024 by visiting Las Vegas, NV where she met with hospitality workers of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and congratulated them on their successful new contracts, which led to historic pay increases and workplace safety improvements.