Were you at the Capitol Jan. 6? I’m waiting to hear

UPDATED, Jan. 19: Did you take part in the events of Wednesday, Jan. 6, inside or outside the U.S. Capitol? If so, email me at sprague.bob at gmail.com. I would like to tell your story.

                                                   Photo via N.Y. Times

Were you inspired by President Trump, who faces impeachment for his role? Describe how in as much detail as you like.

I posted a similar appeal on social media last weekend in an effort to learn whether Arlington residents were involved in what began as a “Save America” rally and devolved into violence resulting in five deaths.

My goal is not to provide suspects for the FBI, which has sent alerts warning about renewed violence nationwide in the light of the Jan. 20 inauguration. I want to let those who believe the presidential election was stolen, or that mainstream media ignores their voices, to have their say.

So far, no one from Arlington has stepped forward.

I have received a tip, including screen shots, about a local resident who participated in a D.C. and have reached out to that person. No response yet. If I get one, I will report that person’s story.

Patch comments

On Patch comments, someone calling himself my neighbor has claimed he was there, but he says we cannot communicate directly, because his email has been disabled and his phone confiscated. The alias he used could not be confirmed.

Before the Nov. 3 election, Trump supporters were quite vocal on social media. Now they are silent.

Yes, Arlington is true blue: 82.3 percent voted for Biden-Harris here. But what about the 15.2 percent who cast ballots from Trump-Pence?

If you believe in your candidate and cause enough to go to Washington, D.C., why not speak up at home?

Surely, your eloquence and bravery go beyond the profane four-letter word posted to YourArlington’s comments Jan. 11 in response to U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark’s call to “Remove the U.S. traitor.” 

Apart from the sexist reference to a female body part, the poster provided no full name — required for publication — and a phony email address, assuring no further communication. What are you afraid of, “B”? What do any of you fear? If you have beliefs stand behind them publicly with a real name.

Other area cases

Jessica Turner, appointed to the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust, did. She boasted on social media of taking part in the Jan. 6 events.

As reported by YourArlington partner Cambridge Day, Turner said: “'[I] did not partake in any of the shit that happened behind the barriers that day. I have never supported any type of political violence, and to callously accuse me of it is pure baseless insanity,’ Turner said via Twitter, only moments before she locked her account to the public. The account, with a picture of President Donald Trump as its profile photo, had significant right-leaning political material.”

The story adds: “Almost exactly three days earlier, though, during a thread posted from the nation’s capital as Trump supporters invaded and occupied the Capitol building, Turner had tweeted out: “We have breached the steps.”

This comment drew notice from city officials and reflects one way that the fractured nature of the nation extends to a local resident.

Going too far?

Do some reactions go too far? See this Boston Business Journal report, “UMass Memorial fires employee for participation in Capitol riots.” 

Or consider this from Universal Hub: “Local Vanilla ISIS rioters traipsed through the Capitol during the failed putsch,” about a Natick Town Meeting member. The Jan. 13 Globe reports that Town Meeting cannot expel the member. BostonGlobe.com reports Jan. 19: An organizer the controversial Straight Pride Parade held in Boston in 2019 and a polarizing Natick Town Meeting member were both arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from their alleged participation in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which left at least five people dead, including a police officer.

In a statement, the FBI Boston field office confirmed the arrests of Mark G. Sahady, 46, of Malden, and Suzanne Ianni, 59, of Natick. They’re both charged out of federal court in Washington, D.C., with entering the Capitol without authorization and disorderly conduct on the grounds of the facility, legal filings show.

Or from the Globe: “R.I. state representative Justin Price faces calls for resignation after comments on US Capitol riot,” who blamed the riot on Antifa.

Officials’ comments

Public officials, including those representing Arlington, have been unafraid to comment to the media:

• State Rep. Dave Rogers tweeted: “In the media I have heard people say they were ‘shocked.’ I’m ‘horrified’ but not in the least shocked. This is the predictable end game from a malevolent & reckless person & the ethically bankrupt national Republican politicians aiding and abetting him. It’s not shocking.”
• Police Chief Julie Flaherty wrote on the department’s blog: “I was deeply disturbed by the violent and unruly actions that took place in Washington yesterday. As an American and as a community leader, I believe in our Democratic process, and I stand for free and fair elections. I condemn any attempt to overrule the voice of the people, and I condemn the violent and deadly insurrection that took place at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. “I would also be remiss if I did not share in the collective confusion and frustration about the apparent lack of effective planning, manpower and public information, especially in the early hours of Wednesday’s events.”
• Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine tweeted: “Doubling down. The Capitol Police Board and/or the Appropriations Cmte’s of the House & Senate need to immediately & publicly investigate the actions & inactions of the Capitol Police. The insurrectionists will be emboldened by yesterday & contingencies need to be put in place.”
• State Sen. Cindy Friedman tweeted: “Terrible things have happened in the past 24+ hours. I am so proud to live in MA, where Dems & Reps can work collaboratively & where abiding by the Constitution is alive and well — something that we should expect and demand of our elected officials. TY for your support and trust ….”
• U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, who represents Arlington as part of the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District, told Chris Hayes: “There is no gray area here. This president is a danger. This president is a traitor. And this president must be removed from office.”
• State Rep. Sean Garballey: “The violent insurrection we witnessed at the U.S. Capitol didn’t just happen. It was enabled by people who were entrusted to lead and elected officials who continue to spread lies about the presidential election. The president whose actions encouraged these individuals and incited violence is complicit in these attacks on our democracy.” 

April 11, 2016: Trump supporters in town? Are you man (or woman) enough to admit it?

.This opinion piece was published Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, and updated Jan. 16, to add Garballey quote, and Jan. 19, to add news links.