WE WILL NOT SURRENDER

Millions of Americans are in deep despair over the election results and the loss of their country and its values. Their fellow countrymen and women betrayed the principles the country proudly rested upon.

In times of darkness, our true strength is revealed. For every American who feels the weight of despair, know this: you are not alone. A single election or administration cannot erase the spirit of freedom, equality, and justice that built this country. These values are woven into our shared history and held in the hearts of millions.

We continue to offer hope.

The Supreme Court's directive for Congress to manage Trump's eligibility is, at best, a misinterpretation of the separation of powers and, at worst, a punt to stall accountability. Congress, as it currently stands, is hopelessly divided. With the House in disarray and Senate dynamics in flux, any effort to invoke Section 3 through congressional action would likely be marred by partisan divides, allowing the issue to stall indefinitely. In this climate, Congress is ill-equipped to ensure the amendment’s enforcement.

President Biden’s oath binds him to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." With this responsibility comes the duty to enforce the Constitution’s principles, including the 14th Amendment’s mandate that those who have sought to undermine or overthrow the government cannot hold public office. Trump’s actions during and after the January 6th insurrection meet this criterion. His attempt to overturn a democratic election was an act that sought to dismantle our government, fitting the definition of insurrection and directly contravening the 14th Amendment.

We will not surrender to fear or any threat against our Constitution and our democracy. This moment calls for courage, not retreat, conviction, or resignation. Remember, America was founded on the belief that power belongs to the people and that the government exists to serve its citizens, not to rule over them. We have inherited this legacy, and now we must protect it.

Take heart and stand together. We will organize, advocate, and persist with every tool. We will fight in our communities, in the courts, in every town hall, and through every platform we have. Every letter, every conversation, and every action taken to defend our democracy strengthens our resolve.

To those who are sickened, angry, and grieving—feel these emotions, but don’t let them consume you. Use them as fuel. This fight is long, but it’s one worth waging. Together, we can ensure that this chapter is remembered not for the erosion of American values but for the resilience of those who stood up to defend them. This is your country, our country, and no force can silence a unified demand for justice and freedom.

This is just the beginning, and every voice matters.

William James Spriggs