Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches (USA), released a statement on the “Mob Attack of the US Capitol” that condemned and repudiated the actions of pro-Trump protesters who made a mockery of the American democratic process. “Chaos reigns, guns have been drawn, and our democracy is under siege. This is outrageous, unacceptable, shameful and a disgrace,” Winkler said. “Every effort must be made by law enforcement to restore order immediately.” The National Council of Churches (USA) has long supported nonviolent protests—often organizing and participating in them—but Winkler said that demonstrators desecrating the US Capitol are disrupting the fair democratic process. “All who have been involved in today’s riots, those who participated as well as those who have incited this violence, must be held accountable,” Winkler said. “We are keenly aware from our own experience that what is taking place is a profound breakdown in security and is beyond anything we have ever seen before.” In addition, Winkler said he is deeply concerned by President Trump’s efforts to remain in power. "We fervently denounce President Trump for the role he has played in provoking this situation by encouraging and attending a ‘Stop the Steal’ rally earlier today, continuing to lie about the results of the election and refusing to concede and accept the election’s outcome,” said Winkler. “On this day intended to ceremonially accept the vote of the people, many Republican members of Congress also attempted to disregard the votes of nearly 82 million Americans.” These votes were carefully counted and withstood more than 60 legal challenges; Winkler noted. “Elected officials can’t be allowed to pick and choose the votes they want to be counted,” he said. “All votes count.” Winkler and the National Council of Churches (USA) added that they are particularly disturbed by and aware that the votes being contested are those that were legally cast by Black and Brown people in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia. “These actions have proven once again that the vestiges of racism and white supremacy are still affecting and infecting our democracy,” Winkler said. “We must increase our efforts to end the scourge on our society, which not only impacts people of color but is detrimental to democracy itself.” Presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael Curry strongly denounced the riotous assault on the US Capitol, referring to it as an attempted coup. “The events at our Capitol today are deeply disturbing,” he said. “We believe the actions of armed protesters represent a coup attempt.” Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement that condemned the violence at the US Capitol. "I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol,” Gomez said. “This is not who we are as Americans.” He called for prayers for members of Congress and Capitol staff, and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety. “The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation,” he said. “In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God.” Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, reflected in a tweet about a day he sees as tragic. “This mob attack on our Capitol and our Constitution is immoral, unjust, dangerous, and inexcusable,” he wrote. “What has happened to our country is tragic and could have been avoided.” Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, also tweeted about the ongoing unrest. “What we are seeing in Washington now is the refutation of our American commitment, a form of unleashed anarchy which is the enemy of ordered liberty, and President Trump is responsible now for unleashing mayhem,” he tweeted. "Pray that God will rescue is from this.” Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released a statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and wider Reform Movement. “We are witnessing an unprecedented assault not just on the US Capitol building and members of Congress, but on American democracy itself,” reads the statement. “The scenes of insurrectionists breaching Capitol security, of Senators and Representatives hiding under chairs on the chamber floor praying with the chaplain while Capitol police stand at the ready, are terrifying and heartbreaking.” The article online will be updated during the day and include more statements.
WCC condemns violence threatening USA, stands with churches on path to peace (WCC press release, 6 January 2021) The National Council of the Churches in the USA WCC member churches in the US | 
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