The outbreaks of violence on January 6, 2021 are a black day in US democracy.
In an investigative body, police officers now shared their dramatic memories.
Washington, DC - The storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 marked a turning point and shocked the United States and the world community. It was a stab in the heart of American democracy. Trying to prevent US President Joe Biden's election victory from being ratified. Even months later, politicians are busy investigating the incident - and the role of then US President Donald Trump. The Democratic Party has to fight the massive resistance of the Republicans. The only Republicans present were avowed Trump critics Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. The first meeting of the House of Representatives' committee of inquiry began on Tuesday with shocking statements from several police officers.
US police officers described the extent of the violence by radical Trump supporters. At the beginning of the hearing, drastic videos of the attacks * by Trump supporters on the members of the Capitol Police were shown. The attack on the Capitol had "something of a medieval battle," said policeman Aquilino Gonell. "We fought hand-to-hand, inch by inch, to prevent an invasion of the Capitol." At that time he thought he would lose his life, he reported with tears: “This is how I will die defending this entrance”. The committee members present were stunned by the reports, and Republican Congressman Kinzinger was visibly fighting back tears. "Everyone - everyone told us: 'Trump sent us'",the Capitol Police Sergeant said aloud
New York Times
.
Storming of the US Capitol: Police officers recapitulate dramatic moments - "fear of death"
They were "beaten, kicked, pushed, sprayed with chemical irritants and blinded with an eye-damaging laser by a violent mob who apparently saw us as an obstacle to their attempted insurrection," said the US police officer.
“I could have died that day, not once, but many times.” The incident caused him lasting trauma: “For most people, January 6th lasted a few hours *, but for those of us who did were in the middle of it, it never stopped. ”He had“ gone through hell and back, ”said another.
The Black Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn described how he and other black colleagues were racially insulted by the attackers.
They used "weapons of all kinds", including "flagpoles, torn out bicycle stands and different types of projectiles".
Michael Fanone also shared his personal horror moments.
“You tortured me.
You hit me.
I was hit at the base of my skull with a taser several times and they continued until I screamed that I have children, ”
Vice News
quoted him as saying
.
He was also threatened to shoot him with his own service weapon.
The policeman suffered a heart attack and traumatic brain injury.
US policeman angry about attempts by the Republican Party to prevent an investigation
Fanone ventured his anger that the Republican Party had previously prevented the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry. The Democrats then decided to set up an investigative body in the House of Representatives. There they have the majority. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic chairman of the House of Representatives, angered the Republican leadership by bringing two Republican MPs, the said Trump-criticizing Cheney and Kinzinger, to the body - and at the same time refusing a seat to two Republican MPs who were loyal to Trump *.
“I feel like I went to hell and back to protect [Republican members of Congress] and the people in this room, but too many of them are telling me that hell doesn't exist.
Or that hell wasn't actually that bad. "
Officer Fanone gives powerful testimony to the Jan. 6 Commission pic.twitter.com/xTPYlJqGFm
- VICE News (@VICENews) July 27, 2021
“I feel like I've gone to hell and back to protect you and the people in this room.
But too many are telling me now that Hell doesn't exist or that Hell wasn't that bad after all.
The indifference to my colleagues is a shame, ”said Fanone.
In his opening words, Democratic Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson said that people "invaded this city with clear plans to bring our democracy to a standstill".
There is "evidence of a coordinated, planned attack".
Trump himself even described the pack as a "loving crowd" at the time.
(aka with agencies) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
List of rubric lists: © Jim Bourg / Pool Reuters via AP / dpa