People wonder how Capitol-storming Trump supporters would be treated if they were Black
People are comparing the treatment of the Trump supporters who stormed Capitol Hill to Black protesters.
On Wednesday (Jan. 6), Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill and clashed with police officers in an attempt to challenge the certification of Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 presidential election.
Demonstrators reportedly broke glass doors, tore down metal barricades and attacked police who attempted to control them with tear gas and pepper spray. Law enforcement sources eventually ordered an evacuation of the Library of Congress James Madison Memorial Building and the Cannon House Office Building after an alleged bomb threat. The Capitol Hill was also placed on lockdown, halting the vote to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory. After videos surfaced of the encounter, many are left questioning whether Black protesters would have been able to get away with as much as the Capitol Hill rioters did.
Following various demonstrations for Breonna Taylor, those demanding justice were attacked with rubber bullets and arrested on various charges for peacefully protesting. During a violin vigil for Elijah McClain, police dispersed the crowd using tear gas and pepper spray. Just last month, Black Lives Matter protesters — who gathered in front of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti’s house to convince President-Elect Joe Biden against adding him to his cabinet — were attacked by a line of officers who struck them with batons.
According to the LAPD, officers felt compelled to make an arrest because a protester using a bullhorn violated a city code that prohibits sounds that carry more than 200 feet.
“Officers used their batons to prevent the crowd from forcefully attempting to remove the suspect from police custody. However, the suspect ultimately got away,” Capt. Stacy Spell, said at the time.
Following the news of the Capitol-storming Trump supporters, many took to social media to express their frustrations.
“If these protesters were Black or Brown… they’d be met with tear gas, rubber bullets and real bullets,” journalist Sharon Carpenter tweeted.
Another user wrote, “Tuh. So ALL OF A SUDDEN the police show restraint? Ha! No military? No Tear Gas move like they did PEACEFUL protesters in June? No rubber bullets? Interesting.”
“Their cause and outrage is deemed worthy of this reaction, but protesting the senseless loss of a Black life is not,” a third person penned their tweet.
Look below for some more reactions to the treatment of the Capitol-storming Trump rioters.