Friend, we must reject a culture of political violence

[TAKE ACTION] Ban assault weapons now Problems viewing this email? [View it in your browser]( [Center for American Progress]( InProgress from the Center for American Progress To make sure you never miss an email from us, please add progress@americanprogress.org to your contacts or safe senders list. Thanks for staying connected with us! Saving our democracy requires bridging our ideological differences [Rioters clash with police at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. (Getty/Brent Stirton) ]( Photo credit: Getty Images Over the past decade, American democracy has witnessed a pronounced breakdown in foundational political norms, posing deep challenges to the rule of law and free and fair elections and eroding trust in government. The spread of dangerous extremism has been accompanied by a real or perceived permission structure that helps spur political threats and violence. A course correction is necessary. [READ MORE]( Americans across the ideological spectrum, including political leaders, can take tangible steps that will help implement a fundamental reset of political norms that: - Respect the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution - Promote civil and truthful discourse - Build trust in elections and peaceful transfers of power - Stop the political violence that flourishes when those norms are weak Americans must reject the instinct to retreat to partisan corners and instead unite to do the hard work that this tumultuous moment in history demands. [LEARN MORE]( PLUS: In the spirit of bridging ideological differences, [Michael Sozan]( and [Cissy Jackson]( from the Center for American Progress joined Walter Olson from the Cato Institute to discuss specific ways that individual Americans, including political leaders, can help get our political system on a more constructive path. [READ THEIR JOINT ARTICLE]( Weapons of war have no place in our communities Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines have repeatedly been used to commit some of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. These weapons of war have no place in our communities. Tell Congress to act immediately and ban assault weapons now. [TAKE ACTION]( Celebrating Women’s Equality Day Monday was Women’s Equality Day. Hear from [Kate Kelly]( CAP’s new senior director of the Women’s Initiative, about what this holiday means and what’s next. [Screengrab of Kate Kelly's video with text, "Happy Women's Equality Day!"]( [watch now]( Ratify the ERA! [A marcher holds a sign that says, "ERA NOW" during the Women's March in New York on January 18, 2020. (Getty/Ira L. Black/Corbis)]( Photo credit: Getty Images Women’s Equality Day was an important reminder that we still have a long way to go until we truly achieve equality. One important step is enshrining the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the Constitution. Did you know that globally, 85 percent of constitutions explicitly guarantee equal rights or prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex and/or gender? It is past time for the United States to be part of this statistic. While the ERA alone will not immediately remedy deeply rooted inequalities, it is an essential tool to build a more just and equitable society. Its passage would strengthen legal protections against discrimination and further women’s rights and gender equality in every facet of American life. [KEEP READING]( Follow us on [Follow us on Twitter]( [Follow us on Facebook]( [Follow us on YouTube]( [Follow us on Instagram]( [Support CAP]( [Manage Email Preferences or Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( [Center for American Progress]( Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 [supporter]