Statement From ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen on the Violence at the U.S. Capitol
2021-01-08
The American Society of Landscape Architects issued the following statement on the violence in the U.S. Capitol from ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen:
"The grounds of the United States Capitol are one of the most beautiful and well-known instances of landscape architecture in the world, designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The U.S. Capitol Complex is iconic, recognized globally as a testament to American design and a shining beacon for our democracy.
"The scenes from the Capitol Complex on Wednesday afternoon were heartbreaking and frightening. Make no mistake, what we saw was not a protest – it was an attack on the foundations of our democracy. These abhorrent actions were an insult to all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. ASLA condemns this violent insurrection by a riotous mob and the death and destruction it caused. We applaud Congress for getting back to the business of the people despite the distressing turn of events.
"This continues to be a challenging time for our nation, and we have many hurdles to clear in 2021 - from the pandemic and rebuilding our economy to reconnecting as Americans. We must pull together to secure our shared future with resilience and common humanity."