EDITORIAL: Sept. 18 ‘J6 Rally’ Expected to be a ‘Dud’

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Here we go again.

The “Justice for J6” protesters announced plans to rally at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, Sept. 18, to show their support for the defendants arrested for the attempted insurrection and damage to the U.S. Capitol they caused on Jan. 6.

More than 500 men and women have been charged and several are keeping company with inmates at D.C. jail. The charges they face include destruction of property, using pepper spray on police officers, unlawful entry, and disorderly and disruptive conduct, to name a few. The violence and mayhem following a rally promoted by former President Donald Trump resulted in several deaths.

U.S. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick was reportedly struck in the head with a fire extinguisher by protesters and later died. Ashli Babbit, an Air Force veteran, died after a U.S. Capitol police officer shot her as she and other protesters attempted to break down the doors of the U.S. Senate chamber.

In the wake of the Jan. 6 protest, local authorities admitted they were ill-prepared for what became a forceful and violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. Many of the protesters brought weapons, demonstrating their intended plans to wreak havoc and cause harm to those who dared stand in their way. And, nothing stood in the way but the bravery of U.S. Capitol police and members of MPD.

Once again, authorities report that Internet chatter tells them that the J6 protest will not be a repeat performance of Jan. 6. They are predicting it will be a “dud.” Just in case, however, the fencing surrounding the U.S. Capitol will be reinstalled, and more law enforcement is in place.

There is a justifiable concern about the intentions and plans of the protesters. And, even if their protest is peaceful, their motives and messages must not be ignored. A fence may protect bricks and mortar, but their words continue to stoke the fire of dissension and divisiveness, ignited by their leader Donald Trump. The hats they wear promoting Make America Great Again cast a shadow on a country broken by their rhetoric and violent acts.