Office of the President

In response to yesterday’s events in D.C.

January 7, 2021

Dear Brandeis Community,

Yesterday we witnessed an assault not only on the Capitol, but also on our nation’s democratic institutions, established processes, and the rule of law. These cornerstones of government sustain our democracy, yet we are reminded that they are fragile, even in this, the world’s oldest constitutional democracy.

Regardless of our backgrounds, political affiliations, or personal ideologies, it is incumbent upon all of us to condemn these acts of violence, rooted in lies that have gone unchallenged by too many and for too long. It is our role to speak out in support of our nation’s democratic institutions and values — the same values that inspired Brandeis’ founders to establish a university committed to justice and the pursuit of truth.

In this time of uncertainty, each of us must play a role in helping to repair our frayed democracy — by engaging one another in debate, through our research, our teaching and learning, and through an unwavering commitment to facts, the rule of law, and respect for difference of opinion.

Sincerely,

Ronald D. Liebowitz