Jack of Harts

Hundreds of thousands of people went to Washington DC to protest against election fraud two years ago. Many marched to the Capitol after Trump’s speech, where he told them to be peaceful. Once they arrived, prepared individuals with bullhorns ordered the crowd to enter the Capitol. Some entered through doors opened by the Capitol Police. Others remained outside. The Capitol Police fired gas and flashbang rounds into other parts of the crowd. Some police used clubs, and in one case caught on camera a firearm was used. Four protestors died that day. January 6 is a wound to our nation that festers to this day.

Hundreds of protestors have been arrested in the years since January 6. Many have been placed in a political prison set aside for them, denied bail, denied due process, and denied speedy trials. The prisoners report being beaten, one so badly he lost an eye. Being denied heat when it is cold, air conditioning when hot, and religious services when requested. Being placed in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, often because they talked to their lawyer. Some have committed suicide due to their treatment. Those who have seen trial were denied a venue change by Washington DC judges, convicted by DC jurors, and DC judges handed down prison times far exceeding the standards for those offenses.

We still don’t know the names of everyone who initiated the violence on January 6. The few we do know are free today, most without any charges at all laid on them. We need the camera footage, the body cam footage, all the proof of what happened that day. We need to charge everyone who initiated violence, and everyone who called on others to commit that violence. Peaceful protestors who didn’t break anything should go home. Those charged with crimes should get fair trials outside DC, where it is increasing clear that fair trials are hard to get. We must to seek justice for all, or the wounds of January 6 will only get worse in the years to come.