By Ethan Broschart

University of Maryland students and faculty discussed democracy last Thursday during the Living Democracy Symposium at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union. 

The symposium featured panels and presentations on American democracy and critical thinking. Harry Dunn, a former Capitol police officer, gave the keynote address and focused on his experience during the insurrection of the United States Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.

Twenty-five tables filled the Colony Ballroom in Stamp for attendees coming to listen to various speakers. Throughout the day, participants listened to panels led by UMD professors, alumni and library representatives.

Dunn delivered the closing keynote address. He began his recount of the attack by wishing it simply didn’t happen. That day, he explained, there was more panic in his mind than nobility. 

“On January 6, the furthest thing from my mind was defending democracy,” Dunn said. “I would trade it all back…for nobody in this room to know who I am.”

Since the attacks, Dunn has testified to Congress, ran for a seat in the House of Representatives in Maryland’s 3rd congressional district and started his own political action committee. All of his recent work, Dunn explained, stemmed from his experiences that day – a drive to protect democracy. 

“It’s a bigger responsibility to being an elected official…because people are saying, ‘I am trusting you with my voice,’…they’re supposed to be your voice,” Dunn said. 

Dunn started his address by speaking into a stationary microphone on a podium, but within five minutes, he grabbed a hand-held microphone while pacing the stage, accentuating every point with his energy. 

His story impacted the audience, prompting students to reflect on what they took from Dunn’s experience. 

“There’s so many different minds, diverse minds…so maybe what you can take from his lessons is that you need to talk in a unifying way, to listen to people,” a sophomore enrolled in letters and sciences, Eli Limonchik, said. “He was just trying to tell us about the role we have in democracy.” 

The symposium was hosted by the University of Maryland Libraries and served as the first event in their Living Democracy Initiative. The organizers planned the event for over a year, according to Lae’l Hughes Watkins, the special director for engagement, inclusion and reparative archiving for Special Collections and University Archives. 

“I walked away with something from everyone and every panel that spoke,” Watkins said. “The activism panel was so powerful…along with the sentiment shared about the role of libraries and how we can strengthen our role in providing information and resources.” 

Watkins gave additional praise to Dunn and his address, complimenting his words and giving weight to them at an event about how students can protect democracy. 

“He reminded each of us in the room that there are moments we face in our lives that shift our universe, and we have an important decision to make,” Watkins said. 

Dunn finished his address to a round of applause from the audience and thanked the crowd for his time. Before exiting the stage, shifting his focus to the students in attendance, he reminded everyone of their power in democracy and encouraged them to vote. 

“Before January 6, I was a public servant,” Dunn said. “But I wanted to step up…I want to be part of the solution.”

Featured Image: Symposium speakers Saba Tshibaka, Lae’l Hughes Watkins and Harry Dunn smile for a picture. Photo by Ethan Broschart.