Boston Foundation President and CEO Paul Grogan calls out deplorable events at U.S. Capitol

January 6, 2021

Boston – The Boston Foundation today strongly condemns the actions of the right-wing extremists who today stormed the United States Capitol, and of their enablers both inside and outside government.

In reaction, Boston Foundation President and CEO Paul S. Grogan said:

"This is a dark day for our country... We are witnessing an attempted coup, an act of domestic terrorism, wrapped in white privilege. To tolerate it is to be complicit in it."

“Yesterday, the people of Georgia elected their first Black Senator and first Jewish Senator in history, in a free and fair election.  Important legislation was passed in the waning hours of the Massachusetts legislative session.  The City of Boston established a new Office of Police Accountability and Transparency. These are all the results of the power of collective actions to bring equity, justice and opportunity to all. They inspired hope.

“Then the news broke that supporters of President Trump’s baseless, outlandish and disproven theories, encouraged by the cynical actions of Republican United States Senators and Representatives and media enablers, had violently stormed the Capitol.   

“This is a dark day for our country.  When people in power spread lies about the democratic process and then leverage the belief in those lies to justify extra-constitutional action, we shouldn’t be surprised when violence results, and they should be held accountable. We are witnessing an attempted coup, an act of domestic terrorism, wrapped in white privilege. To tolerate it is to be complicit in it.

"But I also know this. We will not tolerate it. The hope of this morning can and will overcome the darkness of this afternoon."

“But I also know this. We will not tolerate it. The hope of this morning can and will overcome the darkness of this afternoon. This is the last desperate gasp of a cancerous political and social movement. But while I am trying to remain positive, it is hard not to be shaken.    

“I know many of you are watching the news, monitoring social media, and sharing my dismay. I encourage you also to share my hope. In 20 years at the Boston Foundation, I have had the opportunity to work with literally tens of thousands of dedicated people who are committed to improving our community, our region, and our nation. Our collective actions are driving real change. Together we will not be stopped.”