ARCS Response to Capital Insurrection January 2021
January 19, 2021 | ARCS News
A Message from the ARCS Board of Directors
ARCS is saddened and outraged by the attempted insurrection at the Capitol Building on January 6th. Many museum professionals watched in shock as a violent extremist mob stormed the Capitol building; infiltrating the offices of political leaders, and putting the lives of elected officials, Capitol Police, and staff at risk. This mob also damaged historic art and artifacts throughout the building, endangering many museum objects on loan from all over the country, representing our nation's diverse communities and history. Watching the violation of this protected space is disheartening, but we know the stewards of these collections continue to respond with the common goal to rescue and recover our nation’s heritage. State and federal agencies have been warned about further disruptions and dangers to public spaces and institutions as the country moves closer to January 20th, and civil unrest might continue in the weeks following the inauguration. ARCS is heartened by, and continues to encourage, the preparedness and mitigation efforts implemented against short and long-term threats and disruptions that would jeopardize the health and safety of collections caretakers at the Capitol as well as the artifacts.
The ARCS Board and Community fully supports those responding to the damage at the Capitol, historical sites in Washington, DC and beyond and will be a signatory of the American Alliance of Museums' January 8, 2021, Statement on the Violence at the US Capitol. As watching and responding to any type of emergency is upsetting, ARCS reminds its membership to take care of themselves, mentally and physically.
-ARCS Board of Directors
Resources:
Guidance for Protest Preparedness at Cultural Institutions
Health and Safety and an Emergency Response, AIC
