Screenshot from CNN.com – for video link see below.
I have been listening to the Congressional investigation into the events of January 6th when a violent mob, estimated to have been nine thousand people, all white males, mostly middle-aged—and two women—fought about 150 police officers.
The four police officers who testified, two of them black, explained that while the firearms the mob carried were hidden, the bats, bars, flag poles, metal bars, gas tanks and other objects that were used to beat and injure the officers were weapons. Wearing military garb, the mob injured and threatened lives. One officer was dragged 250 feet into the crowd and beaten to the point where he knew his life was threatened, calling out, “I have kids,” causing several men to intervene and guide him back to the entrance to the Capitol tunnel which the mob was about breach.
But these objects, in addition to fists and shields seized from the officers, were not the only weapons. Words were used as weapons, too.
“The N word.”
A crucial question from a congressman: "Is this America?"“Shoot him with his own gun.”
“You’re not American.”
“You’re traitors.”
Asked by a congresswoman (who was hiding in an office 200 feet from this tunnel) to compare this attack to what several of the officers had experienced as soldiers in the Iraq war, they explained that in the military they had not been personally attacked. And in guarding other mass demonstrations in Washington, these officers never saw violence against individuals even when they did see destruction of property.
Another of the officers mentioned the “razor thin” margin held by Democrats in Congress, saying the thought came to him as he was being beaten that if a single Democratic Congressperson were murdered, it would shift that balance dramatically. Since the mob was organized and trained, it seems that this murder, and many others, was the aim.
THE CONFEDERATE FLAG WAS CARRIED BY THE MOB.
MANY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN ABSENTED THEMSELVES FROM THIS HEARING.
And from the officers:
“We were fighting for our lives.”
“I can’t let these people in…even at the cost of my life.”
“We were defending the Constitution.”
“Everything is different but nothing is changed.”
“Why is telling the truth hard?”
“We would do it again.”
A crucial question from a congressman: “Is this America?”
After speaking of the violence that is an inescapable fact of our entire history and that continues in many forms today, one of the black officers replied sorrowfully, “YES. THIS IS AMERICA.”
Video footage shown during the hearing can be seen on CNN.com or a longer version on Time.com.
I, too, watched the proceedings yesterday. I was shocked & horrified @ what I heard. For me, the most powerful statement was given by Officer Gonnell, who had immigrated here & served in our military in Iraq. Those four men showed the rest of us what true patriotism is. I honor & respect them & what they did to save our democracy. Clarice Coffey, Santa Fe.
Sallie, first, bravo for your new book!
Thank you for this post. The testimonies were riveting and I hope will keep opening the door to truth.
We all need to speak up to defend the truth we saw unfold before our very eyes. I am appalled that those congressmen and women whose very lives were threatened are willing to whitewash the truth. This is one of the most shameful American historic periods we are experiencing. We must support the investigation as it gets to the very core and depths of its creation and creators. Those found responsible must be convicted of these acts of treason. The future of our nation depend upon this conclusion.