District of Columbia
Related: About this forumJan. 6 protests multiply as Trump continues to call supporters to Washington
Jan. 6 protests multiply as Trump continues to call supporters to Washington
By Marissa J. Lang
Dec. 30, 2020 at 7:35 p.m. EST
Protests planned in support of President Trump on Jan. 6 are multiplying by the week. ... Four seemingly competing rallies to demand that Congress overturn the results of the presidential election, which their participants falsely view as illegitimate, are scheduled on the day Congress is set to convene to certify electoral college votes, declaring President-elect Joe Biden the winner.
The events will be headlined by Trumps most ardent supporters, including recently pardoned George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser to Trumps 2016 campaign who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during its Russia investigation, and longtime ally Roger Stone, whose sentence for seeking to impede a congressional probe into Russian election interference was commuted by Trump in July before being upgraded to a full pardon.
Formal rallies are planned most of the day and will draw pro-Trump demonstrators to the Washington Monument, Freedom Plaza and the Capitol. But online forums and encrypted chat messages among far-right groups indicate a number of demonstrators might be planning more than chanting and waving signs.
Threats of violence, ploys to smuggle guns into the District and calls to set up an armed encampment on the Mall have proliferated in online chats about the Jan. 6 day of protest. The Proud Boys, members of armed right-wing groups, conspiracy theorists and white supremacists have pledged to attend.
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Marissa Lang
Marissa J. Lang is a local reporter covering the D.C. metro area. Follow https://twitter.com/Marissa_Jae
Thekaspervote
(34,578 posts)Bradshaw3
(7,962 posts)We don't need antifa groups or counter demonstrators who think they are "fighting" for democracy adding to the chaos. Let the thugs show themselves for what they are, and let the authorities (those who aren't on their side anyway) handle it.
David__77
(23,863 posts)I do think that there a lot of productive things that people can do to obstruct the fascists, including by calling hotels in the area to demand that they close during that time because there are many people openly calling for assault and violence. There are probably other things that could be done as well, including contacting public officials.
At the same time, I also support those who will take other measures including closely monitoring/surveilling the situation. It will be important to get information so that appropriate action can be taken later if nothing else. I think that the police should be able to keep groups apart - it is true that they will need to do a much better job than they did previously.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)these people are extremely violent, rude and down right ugly.
David__77
(23,863 posts)Openly discussing mass murder. It concerns me that there's not more action from hotels/businesses indicating that they will close to help mitigate this. I'm hopeful that to the extent possible, local government (DC, Arlington, etc.) will take actions to protect people from fascists.
Paper Roses
(7,504 posts)Perhaps in the halls of the Supreme court, or maybe the Senate office Building.
Avoid the idiots who will disrupt the whole ceremony.
Those of us who support Biden/Harris would understand.
I fear tRump and his crowd of fanatics.
mahatmakanejeeves
(60,768 posts)RKP5637
(67,112 posts)3Hotdogs
(13,375 posts)Mine's dark, no sugar.
Midnight Writer
(22,948 posts)It would be easy to light a spark among these fools. I hope no one does.