As night fell, the millions of MAGA marches became violent

In this daily series, Newsweek explores the steps that led to the congressional riots on January 6.

Saturday, November 14On a sunny day, 11,000 Trump supporters gathered in Washington for a mixed event of Million MAGA March, March to Trump and Stop the Steal. It is far less than one million people, and this fact, together with what happened—the struggle between protesters and counter-protesters—lays the foundation for almost everyone to pay attention to signs of error as January 6 approaches. .

Thousands of people expressed their support in Liberty Square on Pennsylvania Avenue east of the White House Donald TrumpAllegations of election fraud expressed their dissatisfaction with the direction of the country: the accumulation of dissatisfaction with Washington, the federal government, and the government CDC, Politicians, mainstream media, and even law enforcement.They marched along Pennsylvania Avenue to Supreme Court, Located opposite the Capitol. “Fuck Antifa,” the crowd chanted.

Speakers included the boastful Alex Jones, Infowars host and an outspoken right-wing conspiracy master, and he became even more alluring when he was banned by mainstream social media.Jones is accompanied by members Proud boy, The former bodyguards and extra security, it is their own task to escort their world leaders. A bodyguard wore a “Pinochet did nothing wrong!” T-shirt, referring to the Chilean military government leader who overthrew the elected president and arrested more than 100,000 national enemies and tortured a third of them.

At the rally, Jones talked about the “Second American Revolution” and chanted “1776”. This is his patented deep state model, conspiracy everywhere, a little QAnon and a lot of Alex Jones. “We declare independence from that communist Chinese agent Joe Biden And his demonic pedophile family,” he shouted.

Former Trump administration official and right-wing social media influencer Sebastian Gorka | Aroused the crowd and turned the focus back to Donald Trump. He said: “We can win because he did win.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a conspiracy follower of QAnon, just elected Congress The one from Georgia also spoke. Earlier in the day, she tweeted an insult about the repression in the country’s capital. “Nothing is open,” she said, not even her hotel gym, because of “the authoritarian control of the Democratic Party.” Later, she attacked those who were wearing new crown virus masks, calling them “oppressors.” The guardian of the oath served as a security guard for several speakers.

In order to show his recognition and support, President Trump’s presidential motorcade made a slight detour on the way to a golf course in Virginia. They drove past the crowd on Pennsylvania Avenue. The day before, Trump wrote on Twitter: “It’s gratifying to see all the huge support, especially the organic rallies that have sprung up across the country, including the large rally in Washington on Saturday. I even Maybe try to stop and say hello.”

“Million MAGA March is organized to peacefully exercise the first amendment rights of the demonstrators regarding the 2020 presidential election,” FBI Said after the protest. “Members of the proud boy participated in the demonstration in yellow and black and other identifiable signs and emblems associated with the organization.”

Despite the tension between MAGA marchers and counter-protesters, the daytime rallies were mostly peaceful. But as night fell, the rally gave way to some violent clashes between MAGA instigators, counter-demonstrators and the police. “Activists swear swear words, yelled threats, punched and kicked, and threw bottles. There were bloodshed on both sides… Four of them were unclear due to gun charges. The chaos also caused two police officers to be injured,” the report said. Washington post. At least one person was stabbed and hospitalized.

Near midnight, a huge “Trump Law and Order” banner was placed on it Black people’s fate is also fate Plaza, before it moved closer to the White House.
metropolis police The Police Department (MPD) later reported that 21 people were arrested for assaults, assaults on police, possession of weapons, disorderly conduct and incitement to violence. According to the police, in this incident, MPD also recovered 7 guns. Department of Homeland SecurityThe internal “Million MAGA March After Action” report.

In reporting on the protests and their aftermath, the mainstream news media focused on small-scale crowds and big-name individuals and groups like QAnon, Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers, portraying Trump supporters as conspiracy freaks and idiots. . Anti-protesters cited as anti-racism and “fascism” and all things Trump gained an equal voice. The mainstream media also paid attention to the number of elections and the actual results of the election, while ignoring the greater dissatisfaction of those present.

Law enforcement agencies are busy with conflicts between competing groups. In the early protests, this has been the main concern of local and federal law enforcement agencies.Some important themes have emerged, such as condemnation Fox News Trump supporters. There are also armed protesters who have violated the laws of the District of Columbia and have shown that they are violent; the discussion of the revolution and the new Independence Day should remind homeland security agencies to treat these groups as engaging in acts that may be considered insurgency and incitement .

Ron Schaffer, a member of the Indiana Oath Guardians who participated in the November 14 parade, was interviewed by the news media on Saturday. “A long time ago, a group of thugs and criminals hijacked this country. Now they are taking major actions and this will not happen,” he said. “They are messing with the wrong people here, trust me.

“We will not integrate into a certain globalist, communist system, this will not happen,” he said. “If it comes down to it, there will be a lot of bloodshed, trust me… If someone wants to bring violence, I think a lot of us here are ready… They are pushing us to point us There is no choice.”

Shafer was later charged for his role in the attack on the Capitol on January 6.