In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, the New London Human Services Network stands together in defense of our Constitution and the democratic principles it embodies.

We condemn the violent attempt to disrupt a free and fair election process and disenfranchise millions of our fellow citizens. We deplore the bigotry and hatred that was expressed by the rioters. Most of all, we condemn the steady drumbeat of lies from people in positions of power that incited the insurrection against the democratic process that we all hold dear.

As human services providers, we see on a daily basis the damage inflicted by bigotry and hatred on the people we serve. We see how racism, economic inequality, xenophobia, homophobia, and other biases don’t just prevent people from realizing their potential — they oppress the human spirit in a way that violates the most basic principle of equality upon which our nation is founded.

We believe in a United States where every human being is valued and respected and fully empowered to claim their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But we also recognize that we have far to go to achieve that vision, and that doing so will require a renewed commitment from us and from every American.

We call upon ourselves and our elected officials to enact public policy that supports these goals:

• Reduced income inequality through tax reform and expanded economic opportunities for people of low or moderate income

• Public and public/private systems that are free from racism and other biases

• Reinforcement of democratic processes, systems, checks and balances to ensure equity, transparency, ethics, and truth in government

• Development of an economic safety net that is nimble, fully resourced, ready, and accessible to all who need it

• Re-invigoration of citizenship, civil discourse, and active participation in government

As organizations devoted to meeting human needs and improving quality of life, we believe we have a key role to play in ensuring that our nation delivers on the promise embedded in its founding documents. Toward that end, we stand ready to partner with government, businesses, faith communities, and others to move our communities and our nation toward a more perfect union.

This commentary was submitted on behalf of the New London Human Services Network, a group of nonprofit and government service providers and funders who convene several times annually to share information, coordinate service delivery, and explore opportunities for collaboration.