This Wednesday we witnessed an attempted coup on the U.S. Capitol and a violent attack on our democracy.

YouthCare vehemently condemns Wednesday’s attack and shares the anger, sadness, and pain felt across our communities and the nation. This pain runs particularly deep among our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, including many of YouthCare’s staff members and the youth we serve.

The largely white domestic terrorists who stormed the capitol betrayed the fundamentals of our democracy. They spewed hatred in the streets and the halls of Congress—smashing windows, looting offices, and proudly waving the Confederate flag. In contrast to the powerful emergence of BIPOC voices fighting for racial justice this summer, these groups fight for oppression and white supremacy. Yet, in further contrast to this summer, law enforcement met them with restraint rather than brutality.

This is a dark time in our history—and yet it also forces us to confront the depths of racism and violence our Black and Brown communities have faced since the inception of this country. What we all say and do in these next few days will set the tone for the state of our democracy and our nation. For the youth we serve, the impact of our actions will be felt far and wide.

We believe all young people deserve to flourish in a world that honors their identities and upholds the values of justice and equality: a world where young people’s futures are not impacted by the white supremacy rooted in our institutions, policies, and culture.

Let’s make sure to take care of ourselves. To take care of one another. And to continue fighting for justice.