rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
Christopher O’Connor of Troy took part in what will be an important moment of American history on Jan. 6 when he participated in a protest at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump asked his supporters to peacefully protest outside of Capital Hill that day during Congress’s counting of electoral votes to confirm President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory. Thousands of supports came to make their statement in support of President Trump.
“I came down last night was at the ellipse (sometimes referred to as President’s Park South), which was 9 a.m. this morning,” said O’Connor. “The purpose was to peacefully protest the election results as they were fraudulent. There is power in numbers and I was hoping to accomplish to prove to our representatives that they should object these results and send the votes back to the states to recertify.”
Capital Hill was placed on lockdown as Trump supporters allegedly stormed into the building and allegedly shouted “President Trump won this election,” according to ABC News Live.
The very topic was one Congress was debating, before they were interrupted and removed from the chamber.
Senator Mitt Romney, who was present, stated “This is President Trump’s fault.”
“Trump did not cause this. Our Government has failed us,” said O’Connor. “We have too many career politicians. We all know the (main stream) media has a way of spinning things.”
O’Connor says that he doesn’t believe Trump supporters protesting currently will harm anyone.
“Yes, people may be scared. But my fellow Patriots will not harm anyone. There are (ANTIFA) members dressed as Patriots to help spin the dark narrative, Trump’s speech at the ellipse.”
Main stream media reports also allege breaching of the Senate quarters and a protestor actually sitting where Vice President Mike Pence sat just hours before. He, as well as others were removed safely from the building because of the lockdown.
“I left at 1:20 p.m. I did not personally see anyone enter the building,” said O’Connor. “I went the other direction after Trump’s speech, as I heard rumor of ANTIFA being there and I did not want to get involved in that. I am all for protests as long as they stay peaceful. There is a difference between a protest and a riot, and that is what separates people.”
O’Connor says he agrees with President Trump’s Tweet, stating that “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!”
“VP Pence needed to reject the votes and have the states recertify the votes. If there wasn’t any fraud then both parties should gladly agree to looking in to it and recertify,” said O’Connor.
In response to the situation, President Trump Tweeted “Please support our Capital Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
It is unclear at this time if or when Congress will reconvene.
O’Connor says that he hopes this day “reminds our representatives they work for us, the people. I do not condone any violence."
President-Elect Joe Biden called on President Trump to go on national news and call the protest off.
“The world is watching, like so many Americans, I am shocked at what I am watching,” he said. “America is about honor, decency, respect, tolerance, that’s who we are and what’s who we’ve always been.”
Vice President Mike Pence Tweeted “Peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
He went on to say “The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capital Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building.”
Photos provided by Christopher O'Connor