BASF and JDC Strongly Condemn Violence at the U.S. Capitol, Call on Vice President and Congress to Take All Lawful Action to Constrain the President's Unlawful Conduct
January 7, 2021, San Francisco—The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) and the Justice and Diversity Center (JDC) strongly condemn yesterday’s assault on democracy in our nation’s capital.
President Trump incited mob violence against all those in the U.S. Capitol. Trump loyalists threatened the safety of members of Congress, caused numerous injuries including the loss of life, put Capitol Police and other first responders in harm’s way and disrupted the lawful certification of the 2020 Presidential election. The President’s actions and those of the mob he incited attacked our Constitution and the rule of law.
We call on the Vice President and Congress to take all lawful action to constrain the unlawful conduct of the President, including as warranted the invocation of the 25th Amendment or immediate impeachment. We urge everyone to unite behind the peaceful processes that built and sustain democracy, uphold the rule of law, speak out forcefully, and support the incoming administration in restoring peace and building constructive change in society.
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The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) advances fairness and equality by providing pro bono legal services to low-income people and educational programs that foster diversity in the legal profession. JDC is the largest legal services providers in San Francisco. JDC’s programs serve approximately 9,500 disadvantaged San Franciscans a year, with the overarching goal of assisting the community’s most vulnerable members with accessing the judicial system and strengthening their personal, professional, and economic security.
The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) is a nonprofit voluntary membership organization of attorneys, law students, and legal professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1872, BASF enjoys the support of more than 7,500 individuals, law firms, corporate legal departments, and law schools. BASF provides a collective voice for public advocacy, advances professional growth and education, and attempts to elevate the standards of integrity, honor, and respect in the practice of law.