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Justice for J6
Former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard speaking at the Justice for J6 rally
DateSeptember 18, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-09-18)
Caused byRight-wing support for the participants of the January 6 United States Capitol attack[1] – opposition to arrests and criminal charges brought in the attack
MethodsDemonstration
Number
100–200

The Justice for J6 rally was a right-wing demonstration in Washington, D.C., in support of hundreds of people who were arrested and charged following the January 6 United States Capitol attack.[2] It occurred on September 18, 2021.[3][4] The event attracted 100–200 activists. It was organized by a former Trump campaign staffer.[5] The event was noted for extensive security preparations and concerns over possible unrest.

Background

[edit]
Further information: Criminal proceedings in the January 6 United States Capitol attack
FBI poster seeking information on violence at the Capitol Building published January 6, 2021
January 6 United
States Capitol attack
Timeline • Planning
Background
2020 presidential election
and other causes
Related groups and persons
Participants
Notable people
Organizations
Law enforcement response
Aftermath
Biden inauguration
Investigations and charges
Corporate actions
Reactions
Impeachment and 2024 presidential election
On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol building, disrupting the joint session of Congress assembled to count electoral votes to formalize Biden's victory in the 2020 United States presidential election.[6] By the end of the month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had opened more than 400 case files and issued more than 500 subpoenas and search warrants related to the riot.[7] The FBI also created a website to solicit tips from the public specifically related to the riot,[8] and were especially assisted by the crowdsourced sleuthing group Sedition Hunters.[9] By the end of 2021, 725 people had been charged with federal crimes.[10][11] That number rose to 1,000 by the second anniversary of the attack,[10] and to 1,200 by the third anniversary, at which point over 890 people had been found guilty of federal crimes.[12][13] These federal cases are handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (D.C.).[14] State cases, of which there are fewer, are handled in the D.C. Superior Court.[15]

In August, a Justice for J6 rally was organized by Look Ahead America, a nonprofit led by former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard, was scheduled to be held on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on September 18. It was Look Ahead America's third rally held in Washington, D.C.; its first was outside the Department of Justice on June 19, 2021, and its second was outside of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections facility on July 17.[16][17][18][19]

Look Ahead America had also held satellite rallies in nine states prior to the September 18 rally. On July 14 it held a rally in Arizona, which included speakers U.S. Representative Paul Gosar and State Representative Mark Finchem.[20][21][22] The other eight rallies held on July 17, 2021, took place in Georgia,[23][better source needed] Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming.[24][25][non-primary source needed]

The rallies were intended as a show of support for people charged for participating in the attack. Lawmakers and law enforcement officials expressed their concerns over possible unrest at the rally.[1][26][27] On August 27, 2021, Matt Braynard on behalf of Look Ahead America and Cara Castronuova of Citizens Against Political Persecution (CAPP) filed a formal complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee regarding the plight of the prisoners.[28][29]

Preparations

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For broader coverage of the fence around the U.S. Capitol, see Security preparations for the inauguration of Joe Biden § Removal of the fencing.

Matt Braynard stated in interviews that the rally is "100% about #JusticeforJ6 and not the election or any candidate."[30] The official Look Ahead America website discouraged attendees from wearing political gear, stating "Do not wear or bring political, candidate, or another organization’s paraphernalia. This includes clothing or banners supportive of President Trump or President Biden."[31]

In response to the rally's announcement, the Metropolitan Police Department was activated for September 18. There were also discussions about restoring the fencing surrounding the Capitol, though they were initially met with bipartisan disapproval. It was unclear how many people planned to attend the event.[26][1][27]

A counter-rally was subsequently scheduled on the same day, heightening concerns over participants of both events clashing. The Department of Homeland Security shared an intelligence briefing memo to state and local law enforcement agencies, which warned of potential violence at the rally and on the day before. The memo did not identify a specific or credible plot associated with the event, but it also warned that individuals and small groups can "mobilize to violence with little-to-no warning, particularly in response to confrontational encounters with perceived opponents or calls for escalation by key influencers."[32][33]

The protective fencing was restored along with facial recognition cameras[a] around the Capitol by September 13, and multiple congressional offices were slated to close on September 17. Delegate to the US House of Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, and member of the Democratic Party, said that the fence used for the security preparations for the inauguration of Joe Biden "should not be used to preemptively block people from protesting on Capitol grounds, no matter their views," as the rally was covered under the First Amendment.[34] Although the fencing was removed shortly after the rally, the facial recognition cameras continue to be deployed around the Capitol.[35][36][37]

Rally

[edit]

100 to 200 demonstrators attended the rally.[38] Capitol Police made an estimation that a maximum of 450 people were in the crowd, which was made up of demonstrators, counter-demonstrators, and journalists, with the media reported to even outnumber the demonstrators at times.[39][4] Among the speakers were Look Ahead America rally organizer Matt Braynard, Citizens Against Political Persecution co-founder Cara Castronuova, and family members of the prisoners. No member of Congress attended, though Mike Collins, who ran for Georgia's 10th district, and Joe Kent, who ran for Washington's 3rd district, did.[40][41][42]

The event occurred without incident and remained a peaceful demonstration as planned. Four people were arrested before and after the rally, although D.C. police said they made no arrests related to the rally.[4][40] Earlier in the day, two people were arrested for outstanding firearms violation warrants. One man arrested nearby was found to be in possession of a large knife.[4][40] Another arrested 15 minutes after the rally, a US Customs and Border Protection officer, was found to be in possession of a gun but was not prosecuted.[5][40][43]

The rally was noted for its contradictory statements.[44][45]

The event saw heightened security presence by the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies.[39]

Events elsewhere

[edit]

Both during and after the September 18 rally, Look Ahead America had rallies in 17 other states.[46][31][47] Two were held on the same day as the rally: Charlotte, North Carolina and Seattle, Washington.[3][48] The 15 other state rallies occurred in Arizona,[49] California, Colorado,[50] Georgia,[51] Iowa, Kansas,[52] Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina,[53] Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.[54]

2022 candlelight vigils

[edit]

On the first anniversary of the January 6 attack, Look Ahead America organized 35 candlelight vigils taking place across 12 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.[55][56][57] Among these locations were:

Micki Witthoeft, the mother of Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt who was killed during the riot, was present at the vigil in Washington, D.C.[67][68]

Reactions

[edit]

Ahead of the event, Braynard criticized the security measures established in response to the event, saying they were designed to discourage and deter participants.[32] In response to the planned rally, former U.S. President Donald Trump called it a "setup" for Republican voters, saying, "If people don't show up they'll say, 'Oh, it's a lack of spirit.' And if people do show up they'll be harassed."[69] For the most part, congressional Republicans had distanced themselves from the demonstration, saying little if anything about it.[70][71] On social media, far-right groups, such as the Proud Boys, and certain allies of such groups, had been urging their members and others not to attend the event.[5][32]

According to Mother Jones, extremism experts criticized the media for exaggerating the potential for violence at the rally prior to it taking place.[72]

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) described security at the event as more "well-prepared" in contrast to the 2021 Capitol attack.[39]

See also

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Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The fencing had been raised in the aftermath of the Capitol attack, and subsequently removed in July.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c LeBlanc, Paul (September 15, 2021). "Here's everything we know about the September 18 right-wing rally in DC". CNN. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Justice for J6 Rally in DC This Weekend: What to Know". NBC4 Washington. September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Davies, Emily; Lang, Marissa J.; Mettler, Katie; Jamison, Peter (September 18, 2021). "'Justice for J6' rally starts and ends with small crowds and tight security". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Johnson, Kevin; Jansen, Bart; Behrmann, Savannah; Jackson, David (September 18, 2021). "Rally for Capitol riot suspects draws small crowd of protestors amid heavy security". USA Today. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Deliso, Meredith (September 18, 2021). "'Justice for J6' updates: Sparse crowd met with massive police presence at right-wing rally". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  6. ^ Reeves, Jay; Mascaro, Lisa; Woodward, Calvin (January 11, 2021). "Capitol assault a more sinister attack than first appeared". Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021. Under battle flags bearing Donald Trump's name, the Capitol's attackers pinned a bloodied police officer in a doorway, his twisted face and screams captured on video. They mortally wounded another officer with a blunt weapon and body-slammed a third over a railing into the crowd. 'Hang Mike Pence!' the rioters chanted as they pressed inside, beating police with pipes. They demanded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's whereabouts, too. They hunted any and all lawmakers: 'Where are they?' Outside, makeshift gallows stood, complete with sturdy wooden steps and the noose. Guns and pipe bombs had been stashed in the vicinity. ... The mob got stirring encouragement from Trump and more explicit marching orders from the president's men. 'Fight like hell,' Trump exhorted his partisans at the staging rally. 'Let's have trial by combat,' implored his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, whose attempt to throw out election results in trial by courtroom failed. It's time to 'start taking down names and kicking ass', said Republican Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama. Criminals pardoned by Trump, among them Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, came forward at rallies on the eve of the attack to tell the crowds they were fighting a battle between good and evil
  7. ^ Fischer, Jordan (January 26, 2021). "Sedition investigations could 'bear fruit soon' in Capitol riot cases, FBI says". WUSA. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "Capitol Violence". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Reilly, Ryan J. (January 5, 2022). "The FBI's Secret Weapon In The Capitol Attack Manhunt". HuffPost. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
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  11. ^ Alexander, Keith L. (December 31, 2021). "Prosecutors break down charges, convictions for 725 arrested so far in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  12. ^ Rabinowitz, Hannah; Lybrand, Holmes (January 6, 2024). "It may be a long time, if ever, before everyone involved in January 6 is punished. Here's why". CNN. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
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  14. ^ Sneed, Tierney (November 18, 2022). "What it means that a special counsel is running the Trump investigations". CNN. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  15. ^ Mallin, Alexander; Barr, Luke (January 26, 2021). "DOJ has identified 400 suspects, charged 135 in Capitol riot". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  16. ^ Fischer, Ford (June 19, 2021). "ACTIVISTS HOLD "RALLY AGAINST POLITICAL PERSECUTION" FOR JANUARY 6 DEFENDANTS AT DOJ IN DC". News2Share. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  17. ^ "LAA Announces Rally Against Political Persecution on June 19 at the DoJ". Look Ahead America (Press release). May 27, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  18. ^ Elwood, Karina (July 17, 2021). "Protesters rally at D.C. jail against Jan. 6 riot arrests". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  19. ^ "With #RallyAgainstPoliticalPersecution a success, a second rally planned". Look Ahead America (Press release). June 24, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  20. ^ Mimms, Sarah (August 16, 2021). "A Short-Lived Trump Campaign Staffer Is Now At The Head Of The Far Right's Jan. 6 Counternarrative". Buzzfeed News. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  21. ^ "Rep Paul Gosar to address the Rally Against Political Persecution". Look Ahead America. June 17, 2021.
  22. ^ "Arizona Rally to #FreePoliticalPrisoners". Look Ahead America.
  23. ^ "Patriots Rally For DC Political Prisoners in North Atlanta". The Georgia Record. July 17, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  24. ^ "LAA Announces Satellite Rallies to #FreePoliticalPrisoners". Look Ahead America. July 12, 2021.
  25. ^ "LAA Ten-State Rally to #FreePoliticalPrisoners: An Important First Step". Look Ahead America. July 19, 2021.
  26. ^ a b Zanona, Melanie; Wild, Whitney (August 27, 2021). "Renewed fears of political violence grip Capitol Hill ahead of right-wing rally". CNN. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  27. ^ a b LeBlanc, Paul (September 6, 2021). "Ex-FBI official says law enforcement needs to take upcoming right-wing rally in DC 'very seriously'". CNN. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  28. ^ Braynard, Matt (August 27, 2021). "LAA, CAPP File Formal Complaint with UN Human Rights Committee, Demand Sanctions Against Key Biden Administration Officials". Look Ahead America.
  29. ^ Tillman, Zoe (September 18, 2021). ""Justice For J6" Says They're Rallying For Nonviolent Offenders. Most Alleged Capitol Rioters In Jail Are Charged With Violent Crimes". Buzzfeed News. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  30. ^ Schnell, Mychael (September 14, 2021). "Sept. 18 rally organizer asks attendees not to wear pro-Trump clothing". The Hill. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Rally for #JusticeforJ6 at the US Capitol". Look Ahead America.
  32. ^ a b c Jansen, Bart; Carless, Will; Johnson, Kevin; Rouan, Rick (September 17, 2021). "'Might just be me and a bullhorn': Meet the unlikely organizer of the Justice for J6 rally in DC". USA Today. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  33. ^ Sands, Geneva (September 16, 2021). "DHS warns of potential for violence surrounding the 'Justice for J6' rally in intelligence brief". CNN. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  34. ^ Silverman, Ellie (September 2, 2021). "Former Trump campaign operative plans rally for those charged in Capitol riot". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  35. ^ Gonzalez, Oriana (September 13, 2021). "Police to reinstall fence around U.S. Capitol ahead of pro-Capitol riot rally". Axios. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  36. ^ Treene, Alayna (September 16, 2021). "Senate offices closing ahead of "Justice for J6" demonstration". Axios. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
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  39. ^ a b c Hernandez, Joe (September 18, 2021). "Hundreds Rally In Support Of Capitol Riot Suspects Amid Heightened Police Presence". NPR. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
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  42. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "LIVE: The #JusticeforJ6 Rally at the US Capitol". YouTube.
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  50. ^ Roberts, Michael (September 24, 2021). "Denver's Justice for J6 Rally: A Preview". Westword. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  51. ^ "'Justice for January 6th Rally' held at Georgia state capitol". Fox 5 Atlanta. September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  52. ^ Carpenter, Tim (October 2, 2021). "Tiny rally at Kansas Capitol seeks big change in treatment of Jan. 6 'political prisoners'". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
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  57. ^ Bedard, Paul (January 6, 2022). "Facebook Blocks site helping Jan. 6 defendants". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  58. ^ Sievers, Caitlin (January 6, 2022). "'Justice For J6' Vigil Planned For Thursday Night In Phoenix". MSN. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  59. ^ Sievers, Caitlin (January 5, 2022). "AZ Police On The Lookout On Jan. 6 Insurrection Anniversary". Patch. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
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  61. ^ White, Gary (January 7, 2022). "At small Lakeland vigil, relatives of Jan. 6 defendants decry prosecutions". The Ledger. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  62. ^ Hawley, Catherine (January 7, 2022). "Pinellas sheriff: Man brought explosive device to jailhouse rally opposing detention of Jan. 6 suspect". WTVT. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  63. ^ Murphy, Patricia; Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia (January 4, 2022). "The Jolt: David Perdue staffs up with seasoned GOP operatives ... and Kemp allies". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  64. ^ Mackenzie, Hannah (January 6, 2022). "Vigils in Asheville, Columbus reflect on Jan. 6 riot". My40 TV. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  65. ^ Koch, Alexandra (January 6, 2022). "Aiken vigil promotes equal justice, unity after Jan. 6 riot". The Aiken Standard. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  66. ^ Petrizzo, Zachary (January 6, 2022). "Candlelight Vigil Outside of D.C. Jail for Jan. 6 Rioters Draws More Gawkers Than Participants". Daily Beast. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  67. ^ Silverman, Ellie; Wm. Moyer, Justin; Davies, Emily (January 6, 2022). "Rival Jan. 6 vigils reflect deep divides over insurrection". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
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  69. ^ Ward, Myah (September 16, 2021). "Trump calls upcoming 'Justice for J6' rally a 'setup'". Politico. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  70. ^ Broadwater, Luke (September 15, 2021). "Republicans, Wary of Political Fallout, Steer Clear of Rally for Riot Suspects". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  71. ^ Lejeune, Tristan (September 18, 2021). "Republicans keep distance from 'Justice for J6' rally". The Hill. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  72. ^ Breland, Ali (September 17, 2021). "Extremism experts: The media is overhyping potential violence at tomorrow's "Justice for J6" rally". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
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