'Never again': Kent group gathers to remember anniversary of Jan. 6 insurrection

On the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, dozens of people came to a rally at a Kent church, where they were reminded to contact their elected officials, speak up and vote.

The event, sponsored by the Kent Interfaith Alliance for Racial Reconciliation and Justice, the League of Women Voters and the Portage County NAACP, was one of a series of similar rallies planned for Friday throughout the nation, according to the website Mobilize.

More:Jan. 6 rally will take place Friday in Kent

"We have a voice and a vote," said the Rev. Amanda Moore, pastor of First Christian Church of Kent, which hosted the rally. "We can build our nation better and stronger than it has been."

Russ Buckbee, a congregant at First Christian Church and a member of the interfaith alliance, called the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol a "dark day in America," and said conspiracy theorists are now working to sabotage future elections.

"If you're opposed to that, say never again," he said, as the crowd responded, "Never again!"

Deborah Barber, president of the League of Women Voters of Kent, reminded the group that 75% of Ohioans voted in favor of fair legislative maps instead of gerrymandered districts Ohio was known for. Instead, districts were drawn using maps that were ruled unconstitutional five times, yet those maps were still used in the most recent election.

"Become a name that your representative groans when they hear it," she said.

John Kennedy spoke on behalf of the Portage County Democratic Party. The Republican Party also was invited to speak but declined, said Frank Hairston, vice president of the Portage County NAACP.

"We believe in freedom," Kennedy said. "The freedom for women to make choices about their own bodies and health care. The freedom to love whomever we wish. The freedom to participate in elections as voters, without unnecessary barriers and hurdles to the ballot box, and the freedom as office seekers, without regard to the size of one's bank account, or racial, ethnic or any other status. The freedom for our teachers to teach the truth in our classrooms without fear. The freedom to read books — all of them — to learn about our history, a history that includes the good, the bad and the ugly, all of it."

Nancy Warlop of the interfaith alliance encouraged everyone to contact their elected representatives, noting that the calls and letters are tracked by office staff.

"We must be vigilant so this never happens again," she said of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Portage County NAACP President Renee Romine called for unity.

"The only way we're going to make changes in our community is if we work together," she said.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: 'Never again,' Kent group says on anniversary of insurrection