Despite reports of potential violence and beefed up security, including the National Guard and fencing, Saturday’s “Justice for J6” rally attracted a few hundred demonstrators and ended without major incidence.
Photos and video taken around the Capitol show media and police, many heavily armed and in riot gear, vastly outnumbered protesters, who were gathered in support of defendants detained in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack.
Police in riot gear stand in front of the U.S. Capitol during the ‘Justice for J6’ rally in support of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC.
The event began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem.
“We condemn all violence, political violence,” said Matt Braynard, founder of Look Ahead America and organizer of the rally. “I’m demanding that you all are respectful and obedient to police officers today. In fact, I’d like to start off — can we please have a round of applause to the main police officers?”
Then a string of speakers spoke for about 90 minutes and condemned anyone who committed violent acts on January 6, 2021, and called for justice for dozens of people who were arrested in the wake of the riot, many of whom, they said, did not commit violent acts but remain behind bars months later.
“[This is] not about President Trump,” Braynard said. “It’s not about President Biden. It’s not about the election. It’s not about what you think happened with the election.”
“This is about justice and disparate treatment and equal treatment under the law.”
In a video ahead of the rally, Braynard told people who wanted to attend not to wear shirts with any political message or disparaging signage.
Braynard pointed out that violent protests on the left, from Antifa in Portland, Oregon, to those who stormed congressional office buildings to protest then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, were never prosecuted. These protesters, he said, were bailed out on the same day they were arrested.
This is in contrast to what Braynard and other speakers said is the treatment of people now jailed in D.C. related to the Capitol attack, some of whom have been allegedly kept in solitary confinement, and others reportedly not allowed to shave or cut their hair.
Demonstrators gather for the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2021. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Those in attendance called for transparency and the release of more than a dozen hours of video from January 6 still unseen by the public.
“Release the video!” the crowd chanted. “Equal justice or no justice!”
“We’re gonna raise our voices in defense of our fellow Americans who’ve had their rights and due process violated,” said Braynard, who called these individuals “political prisoners.”
“We’re gonna raise our voices, demanding justice for Ashli Babbitt and for...
“We condemn all violence, political violence,” said Matt Braynard, founder of Look Ahead America and organizer of the rally. “I’m demanding that you all are respectful and obedient to police officers today. In fact, I’d like to start off — can we please have a round of applause to the main police officers?”
Then a string of speakers spoke for about 90 minutes and condemned anyone who committed violent acts on January 6, 2021, and called for justice for dozens of people who were arrested in the wake of the riot, many of whom, they said, did not commit violent acts but remain behind bars months later.
“[This is] not about President Trump,” Braynard said. “It’s not about President Biden. It’s not about the election. It’s not about what you think happened with the election.”
“This is about justice and disparate treatment and equal treatment under the law.”
In a video ahead of the rally, Braynard told people who wanted to attend not to wear shirts with any political message or disparaging signage.
Braynard pointed out that violent protests on the left, from Antifa in Portland, Oregon, to those who stormed congressional office buildings to protest then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, were never prosecuted. These protesters, he said, were bailed out on the same day they were arrested.
This is in contrast to what Braynard and other speakers said is the treatment of people now jailed in D.C. related to the Capitol attack, some of whom have been allegedly kept in solitary confinement, and others reportedly not allowed to shave or cut their hair.
Demonstrators gather for the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2021. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)Those in attendance called for transparency and the release of more than a dozen hours of video from January 6 still unseen by the public.
“Release the video!” the crowd chanted. “Equal justice or no justice!”
“We’re gonna raise our voices in defense of our fellow Americans who’ve had their rights and due process violated,” said Braynard, who called these individuals “political prisoners.”
“We’re gonna raise our voices, demanding justice for Ashli Babbitt and for...
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