January 6, 2021. Washington, D.C. The US Capitol was attacked by supporters of current US President Donald Trump. America's temple of democracy was attacked in various periods, from 1814, 1915, 1954, 1983, and in 2001 which was unsuccessful after Al-Qaeda attacked the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. Here are some of the politically involved attacks throughout the Capitol's history.
August 21, 1814. The British invaded Washington, and partially burns the Capitol, but went to retreat after a huge storm struck the city.
July 2, 1915. Eric Muenter, a professor from Harvard University planted dynamite near the Senate Reception Room who wants to stop the support for the Allies in World War I. No one was harmed during the blast. Eric was detained, and he committed suicide while in custody.
March 1954. Puerto Rican Nationalists opened fire on the House floor from the visitors' gallery wounding 5 members of Congress in the process. The shooters were captured and imprisoned.
March 1, 1971. An extremist group called the Weather Underground set off a bomb inside a bathroom for their protest against the country's involvement in Laos. The blast resulted in big damages ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars.
November 7, 1983. Leftist group Armed Resistance Unit set off a bomb at the lobby outside of Sen. Robert Byrd's office for their protest against the military's involvement with Lebanon & Grenada.
September 11, 2001. After the attack on the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol was an intended target for Al-Qaeda using a hijacked plane United Airlines Flight 93, but the plane crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania at Shanksville.
What happened and what was the motive of this incident?
Supporters tried to storm the building as their protest for the election results which was fraudulent, theft or stolen which they cannot accept the fact they've lost, and concede with the results.
6:40 am to 10:00 am. Supporters of current President Donald Trump arrive and gather at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
12:00 pm. Trump addresses his supporters that the election results were fraudulent, theft, and encouraging his supporters to storm Capitol Hill.
1:00 pm. Supporters clashed with Capitol Police as they try to pass through security by breaching the barricades as they can. Security tried to push them back brawl after brawl, by spraying pepper spray and firing tear gas at the supporters.
2:00 pm. Supporters tried to enter by force into the Capitol building by smashing the windows, doors and continues to clash with Capitol Police. All officials inside evacuated the area to an undisclosed location. 20 minutes later. US Capitol goes into lockdown.
3:00 pm. A woman was shot by police as she attempts to enter through the doors of the Capitol. 5 minutes later, President-elect Joe Biden addresses the nation.
4:20 pm. Trump praises his supporters for their efforts in attacking the US Capitol.
6:00 pm. Capitol Police finished clearing the grounds as curfew falls.
11:41 pm. Joint session of Congress reconvenes to certify the Electoral College votes. The following day at 3:40 am, Congress certifies Biden's victory.
The Aftermath?
The attack resulted in injuries, and about 4 people died in the incident. The whole world was shocked, as world leaders responded with their messages about this attack. From UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japan's Chief Cabinet Sec. Katsunobu Kato, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated it was disgraceful, distressing, un-American, that violence is never the answer, and hopeful that the transition of power will be peaceful.
Late-night show hosts in the U.S. also shared their views about the attack. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors shared his thoughts about the incident, followed by other players, and staff of the National Basketball Association. Celebrities now also shared their thoughts, comparing the current protests and the Black Lives Matter protests a year ago.
After the attack, all officials went back to their posts to continue with the Electoral College votes and declares Joe Biden as the victor. How would a powerful leader encourages his supporters to storm, and ransack one of America's landmarks? As he stated, he will not accept defeat, he still wants to maintain his position and claiming that it was a fraudulent election. Another thing is, he'll possibly go under for a second impeachment because of his actions. And where is his proof? None. It was a clean election after all, and I'm hoping that things will be back in motion for the newly-elected president.
Sources:
Lead Image from https://www.wsj.com/articles/mobs-capitol-attack-unites-a-nation-in-horrorthough-not-entirely-11610123883
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/01/07/us-capitol-violent-political-attacks/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/01/06/dc-protests-trump-rally-live-updates/
