[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] On the 6th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden awarded medals to 14 citizens who stood against the violent acts of former President Donald Trump's far-right supporters during the January 6 Capitol riot, marking its 2nd anniversary.
According to the White House, the list of awardees on that day included police officers who defended the Capitol until the very end when Trump supporters stormed the building, the former Arizona House Speaker who opposed pressure to overturn the election results, and the Michigan Secretary of State.
In his speech at the award ceremony held at the White House, President Biden said, "Two years ago on January 6, our democracy was attacked," and condemned, "To overturn the will of the people and prevent a peaceful transfer of power, rioters destroyed the sacred Capitol and trampled on elected officials." He added, "All of this was driven by lies about the 2020 election," and said, "But today, two years later, our democracy is strong, our people have not shrunk back, and have endured."
President Biden also referred to former President Franklin Roosevelt’s January 6, 1941 State of the Union address, in which he advocated the "Four Freedoms," the foundation of American democracy, saying, "Now, 82 years later, we reflect on the very essence of democracy itself." He continued, "We are at a historic turning point, and there are no guarantees in democracy," emphasizing, "Every generation must learn about democracy and defend it." He raised his voice, saying, "America is a nation governed by law, not chaos, and a country of peace, not violence."
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