Escalating Political Violence & Intersectional Impacts on Latina Politicians

• In Event: Violence against Women Politicians

Abstract

The hearings convened by the Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol have ominously detailed plans to undermine the democratic process and foment violent insurrection, including strategies to harass and intimidate elected officials and public servants into submission. The violence stemming from Trump's campaign wasn't contained to the U.S. Capitol Police as several elected officials – including members of the select committee - shared threats they received targeting themselves, their staff, and family members subsequent to the attack. The violence also wasn’t contained to a single incidence as threats against Congressional members increased by 119% between 2017 and 2020 and surged even higher in 2021 (Higgins 2021; U.S. Capitol Police 2021). Moreover, the attacks and surrounding violence were deeply racialized and gendered reflecting years of white supremacist campaigns fueled by misogynistic, racist, and xenophobic discourse aided by a President who regularly amplified and legitimized those interests. Testimony from Fulton County election workers highlight the costs of these threats to the ability of women of color to do their jobs, sustain public service, and grow political representation in the face of escalating abuse. Drawing on interviews with Latina Congressional representatives and candidates, this paper examines the intersectional impacts of escalating forms of abuse, threats, and political violence on women of color as well as the efforts to advance accountability and critical resilience in the face of increased attacks.

Author

• Anna Sampaio, Santa Clara University