Stark Difference Between U.S. Capitol Riots and D.C. Black Lives Matter Protest
The world watched in disbelief yesterday as Trump supporters rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. These anarchist broke windows, trashed congressional leaders offices, and where on the floor of both chambers. What was more egregious was the lack of police response and presence compared to the Black Lives Matter protest last year over police killings of unarmed Black men and women.
What the nation witnessed was two different America’s. As thousands of people of color and allies took to the streets last year to peacefully protest police brutality, law enforcement often clashed with demonstrators, deploying tear gas and rubber bullets, and batons.
In June of last year amid the George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C., law enforcement officers usedtear gasand otherriot controltactics to forcefully clear peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square and surrounding streets, creating a path for PresidentDonald Trumpand senior administration officials to walk from theWhite House to St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Trump, has characterized Black Lives Matter protesters as “thugs,” said on Twitter that the people involved in the riots Wednesday were “great patriots” who are defending the Constitution.
Donald Trump encouraged his supporters (mostly white) to defend him with violence based on his falsehoods of a stolen election.
The main question is why was Capitol police unprepared and ineffective? For weeks Trump supports posted online they intend to do harm In D.C. to stop the certification of Joe Biden.
Only a small group of riot police stood outside of the Capitol building in the early afternoon, and as rioters over took them breaching the building, hundreds started swarming into the chambers.
Police with guns drawn as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Jan 6, 2021. J Scott Applewhite, AP
There is video of police removing barriers outside the Capitol building, allowing demonstrators to pass through to the building. Videos posted to Twitter also showed at least one person who appeared to be an officer taking selfies with people who had breached the Capitol.
It was hours after the chaos started until the D.C. National Guard was fully activated to assist federal and local law enforcement as they work to peacefully address the situation.
African Americans Want Respect, Just As Police Officers Want Respect, Without The Violence.
These officers acted like chaperones slowly escorting demonstrators out of the building. One officer in riot gear could be seen helping a white woman in a Trump hat down the Capitol steps, holding her hand, according to a CNN livestream.
Only 13 people were arrested, and five firearms were recovered a stark comparison to last year’s protest movement in wake of the George Floyd killing, more than 100 people were arrested over the course of three days in Minneapolis.
Black Lives Matter Global Network called the law enforcement response to Wednesday’s riots hypocritical.
“When Black people protest for our lives, we are all too often met by National Guard troops or police equipped with assault rifles, shields, tear gas and battle helmets,” the group said in a statement. “When white people attempt a coup, they are met by an underwhelming number of law enforcement personnel who act powerless to intervene, going so far as to pose for selfies with terrorists, and prevent an escalation of anarchy and violence like we witnessed today.’
“Make no mistake, if the protesters were Black, we would have been tear-gassed, battered, and perhaps shot,” the group wrote.
Several NBA and WNBA athletes and coaches responded to the hypocrisy.
"The truth matters."
Steve Kerr addresses today's events at the U.S. Capitol. pic.twitter.com/Rglf5vis41
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 7, 2021
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Two different America’s was on full display yesterday. White privilege was on full display.
