January 6, 2021 – Addressing the Attack on the Electoral Process

To: Campus Community
From: President Gayle Hutchinson

The peaceful transfer of power from president to president-elect is a cornerstone of our democracy. Today, I am deeply troubled by the violent disregard for the electoral process and the disruption that took place at our nation’s Capitol as Congress worked to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Certification is the final step before the president-elect is sworn into office on Inauguration Day. While the right to peaceful protest is upheld under the Constitution, what we witnessed today bordered on sedition. No matter who you voted for or your beliefs about the election, it is our civic duty to respect the Constitution and principles of democracy.

As we engage in discussions about the events that transpired at the Capitol, I encourage all of us to take this opportunity to expand our understanding of how the electoral process works and deepen our knowledge about free speech, advocacy, and the right to peaceful assembly. The Chico State Free Speech and Advocacy website may serve as a meaningful resource to guide conversations as well as your own activism.

Events like these may make us feel anxious. We may find it difficult to focus on our work and other responsibilities, but today does not define us as a nation. Instead, it serves as a reminder that we must rekindle our trust in the institutions of democracy and each other. We are always strongest when we join together.