WISCONSIN UNITERS' 
PUBLIC STATEMENTS

Wisconsin Uniters Call for Peaceful Participation on and after Election Day

First, we must connect with one another as humans and fellow Americans. The value of each and every individual is the foundation of our democratic republic. By paying as much attention to our neighbors as we do to the politicians making noise, we can move forward with compassion and curiosity, respecting others, no matter their political party. Look away from your screen and get to know your neighbors, even during–especially during–this time of political uncertainty. 

Second, we must exercise our rights and responsibilities as citizens constructively. Voting is the right of each and every qualified citizen, and should not be discouraged or denied by the threat of violence, or undermined by unfair election processes. Our society thrives when we air our disagreements openly and civilly and when we accept the election outcome, even when our preferred candidate does not win or even if the process to ensure an accurate count takes longer than we might want. We can manage disagreements with our neighbors through constructive dialogue and peacefully voice our opinions about policies, ideas, and processes in the public square. It is time to stop approaching politics as a zero-sum game, but rather as a joint effort to advance the common good.

Third, we must proactively oppose political violence. We call on our political leaders to condemn, unequivocally, all political violence in their words and actions, while pledging to hold accountable all who would commit such violence. We also call on leaders and other Americans to avoid using inflammatory language that might incite violence. Violent content online can exploit our cognitive biases when emotions run high, and so we urge our fellow community members to exercise discretion when consuming and sharing information that might be designed to divide us. No matter the election outcome and the events that follow, violence will only further entrench polarization, increase fear, and reduce our ability to improve our well-being.

Ready to do your part? Lend your voice to this statement against political violence by signing below.