Invited by Trump - My Perspective of January 6, 2021

When president Trump invited all patriots to rally together and join him in DC on January 6, 2021 to show their support in disqualifying the Electoral College votes and protest the 2020 election outcome, I felt strongly that I needed to go, not only because based on my research, I concluded that voter fraud existed, but because, sadly, our constitution is at stake.  I am fully aware that voter fraud has existed for decades throughout every election in the U.S.  However, what has been exposed during this 2020 election and the sheer hatred for our president by misinformed people, has left a thorn in my chest, piercing my heart every time it beats.

I am a Trump supporter and not afraid to admit it.  However, attending the rally was so much more to me than supporting Trump.  I, like Trump, love America and what it stands for - LIBERTY and FREEDOM.  So, when a small group of us decided to caravan into DC on Jan. 6, we did so proudly and honorably.  I couldn't be more proud that my oldest daughter and her boyfriend joined us on the Jan. 6 journey.  When I was her age, politics was the farthest thing from my mind.  Maybe because the election process, for the most part, seemed fair back then, and it just wasn't something you had to worry about.  My daughter shows a genuine interest in our constitution and she seems to understand what's at stake here.  My Father-in-Law, who is 80+ years old, legally blind, and just had heart surgery was eager to attend, knowing it would most likely be his last time in DC.  He served in the Air Force and was stationed in Alaska.  While it probably killed him to be pushed around DC in a wheelchair, it was the only way for him to get around due to his failing eyesight. Also in our group was my husband, step mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and two of my dearest friends. Prior to embarking on our march, we agreed upon a meeting place in the event we were separated and unable to use our cell phones. DC has several 5g cell towers, and even though it appeared we had full cell service, text messages and phone calls were sporadic and all social apps were crashing.  There was simply no posting to Facebook or Insta, or Twitter at all during the event.  As the day went on, the crowd grew thicker, and our group stuck together like glue.

We did think about our well-being knowing that when you attend any event with an expected large crowd, your safety could be in danger. Mostly though, I thought about a potential terrorist attack on the people and a large explosion from a pipe bomb that would kill hundreds of innocent protesters.  Thankfully, nothing like that happened at all.  From my perspective, there were thousands of good hearted people from all across the country who came to DC to hear Trump speak and to protest in front of the Capitol so that members of Congress would see and hear the American people's discontent with the fraudulent election. There were veterans, service members, blue collar workers, young adults, retired folks, moms, dads, teachers, preachers, nuns, evangelists, LGBT, puppy dogs, entrepreneurs, and so many normal, hard working American folks just like myself.  Following Trump's speech, everyone marched onward to the Capitol (a good 2 mile walk) proudly waiving Trump flags, and all things USA.  President Trump encouraged everyone to gather and protest together in his words, "peacefully and patriotically" at the Capitol where Congress was in session to confirm the Electoral College votes. I witnessed nothing but calm, good caring people all around me and beyond, from the Washington Monument all the way to the Capitol. I witnessed an elderly couple dancing in the street and people singing, as well as various vendors selling Trump and USA memorabilia, and overall the mood of the people was solemn, but hopeful.

When we finally reached the Capitol grounds, there were some protesters who had already stomped over the plastic fence barrier and had made their way onto the lawn that led up to the building itself.  My friend made his way to the front line of protesters where DC Capitol police were strategically stationed holding shields and tear gas.  Officers fired tear gas several times into the crowd.  Not only did my my friend inhale some of that tear gas, but he was able to capture great video coverage of people who were clearly upset, but not at all out of hand, chanting, "STOP THE STEAL!!", and "OUR VOTE MATTERS!!"  Slowly, but steadily protesters filled the entire lawn in front of the Capitol.  There was a sea of red, white and blue Patriots and it was an awesome feeling to take part in the overwhelming support for our president and what this country was founded upon.

For as long as we were there, no one got out of hand, there was no vandalism, no trashing, no fighting, no gunshots, no explosions, no fires, no break-ins, and what appeared to be a calm and orderly protest.  It was close to 2:30 p.m. when we decided we had spent a long enough day in DC, so we made our way back to our cars, which were parked in a garage about 3 blocks from the Capitol.  It was during that approximate time, that some protesters decided to forcibly make their way inside the Capitol building to wreak havoc. They climbed the walls and broke windows to gain access inside. A senior FBI official reported that he received credible information that at least 2 dozen people were planning to attend the rally to engage in violence. It has since been confirmed that some of the protesters were affiliated with Antifa or BLM, as well as other paid agitators disguised as Trump supporters.  Sadly, a 35 year-old Air Force veteran was shot and killed after she followed others into the Capitol.  I later learned that she was a Trump supporter. Clearly, there were some upset protesters, and they should most definitely be held accountable for any criminal actions. According to OAN (One America News source), there were 170 people arrested and charges ranged from breaking and entering to theft and assault.  

I have no regrets that I attended the rally and took part in this historic event, as I am genuinely concerned for our country and felt strongly about exercising my freedom to speak out against the election fraud.  Unfortunately, it appears that we have reached a turning point in our Nation's history, one that will hinder our freedom and liberty, and abolish the constitution as we know it.  Our freedom of speech has already been jeopardized.  Next it will be the second amendment, and after the first and second amendments have been taken from us, it will no longer be the country that was founded, and therefore, will no longer be these free United States of America. Without the bill of rights, the constitution is no longer valid.  Let that sink in people.  

I will never stop fighting for our country's freedom. I will do so in ways that I am able as a follower of Jesus Christ.  It is unfortunate that the media has used the event of Jan. 6 to further destroy whom I believe to be the only president who has accomplished more for this Country than any other president before him.  I will continue to have faith and trust in our God that He is in control, and lean on His understanding that sometimes He has to work through the bad people to bring about greater goodness in the days ahead.  "It's far better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust any human."  Psalm 118:8 

     "Our country was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." 

 - John Adams

       

Video of  crowd near Washington Monument just before President Trump's speech at the Ellipse

(Video Credit: C. Weibe)

Washington DC Capitol lawn beginning to fill in with protesters (Photo Credit: K. Reynolds)

Fence in front of Capitol that was trampled down by protesters (Photo Credit: C. Weibe)

Patriots climb onto statute with confederate flags (Photo Credit: K. Reynolds)

Patriots (Photo Credit: D. Whatley)

American knit hat ladies (Photo Credit: D. Whatley)

Marching towards Capitol (Photo Credit: D. Whatley)

Marching toward the Capitol down Constitution Ave. (Photo Credit: D. Whatley)

Stay informed, be safe and above all, stay healthy my friends!