New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, today announced that she is co-sponsoring legislation introduced by State Senator John C. Liu that would require instruction on the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the United States Capitol and its aftermath as part of the state’s mandated curriculum. The bill, S.6123 (Liu) / A.3966 (Lavine) will ensure students above the age of eight in all public and private schools learn about the events of January 6 alongside other core civic, historical, and human rights events already required by state law.
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “January 6, 2021, is one of the darkest days in American history. The violent assault on the United States Capitol was a direct attack on one of the very foundations of our democracy – a peaceful transition of power. On the five-year anniversary of this day, we reaffirm our commitment to teaching the next generation about the gravity of this event. We must ensure that they know the details of what happened that day and the lasting effects it has had on our government and democracy. We also publicly reaffirm our strong support for the brave law enforcement officers who defended our Capitol and the bravery of all those who stood firm in defense of our democracy.
“All Americans should know about – and consider the implications – of January 6, 2021. This bill will make sure our students understand that. I am grateful to Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Chuck Lavine for introducing this legislation.”
Under the bill, instruction about the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the United States Capitol will be taught alongside courses of instruction in patriotism, citizenship, civic education and values, the shared history of diversity, the role of religious tolerance in this county, and human rights issues – with specific focuses to the studies of inhumanity of genocide, slavery, the holocaust, and the mass starvation in Ireland.