Last Wednesday, Jan. 6 the U.S. endured an attack on our capital that will be written in history books as a horrific moment in the Republic.
As the attacks are cycled on the news 24 hours a day, there is the question that lingers: what if it had been anyone else besides Trump supporters?
This thought has been shared by many on social media.
As was seen this summer and at other times, this would have been unacceptable had it been BLM, ANTIFA or any other subversive group in the country (rightly so). But the violence the whole country witnessed cannot not be excused, lest it be hypocritical.
I am one who believes justice should be dealt out the same - regardless of who is perpetuating it. There was not enough justice for the people who were injured, property destroyed and destruction in the path of violent protesters. And the same goes for now – if justice is ignored.
Law enforcement takes their job seriously and risk their lives. No rioting mob has the right attack innocent people or officers. Period.
The mob violence that caused injury at the Capitol is unacceptable – especially from those who claim to support law enforcement. Beating police officers with an American flag is flagrantly unamerican. Beating an officer to point of hospitalization and death is both unamerican AND criminal. There are no excuses.
As Trump supporters assaulted the police, sprayed with them chemical irritants, hit them with crutches, clubs and fire extinguishers, and over-powered them - there was nothing that spelled the word patriotic.
Three hours after the assault on the Capitol, at least 50 officers were injured, with Officer Brian Sicknick succumbing to injuries after being attacked by at least 8,000 people.
This was a disgrace. An embarrassment that occurred as the world watched. These violent fanatics brought disgrace to the country.
The outcome of the riot is unsurprising and disappointing, hopefully it allows for people to reevaluate the ideals, they hold as many of them are shared by those who stormed our Capitol.
Without justice for this attack on our democracy, there will likely be little healing. And I weep for the Republic.