Save America March 2021

On January 6, 2021 the event "Save America March" took place in Washington D.C. The event started with a so-called "Stop the Steal" rally that included opening prayers, reading of the Lords Prayer, reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem and speeches delivered by President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, several members of Congress and many others. It was reported that "Thousands" of people attended the rally, while the National Park Service Permit specified only 30,000 people were permitted. Described as a "Sea of Patriots", it was later estimated that "Half a Million to a Million" Trump supporters attended the rally. However, District of Columbia authorities took no precautionary security measures despite being warned that violent extremists had planned to infiltrate the march and were planning an attack.

During the rally, as the President spoke, the event was infiltrated by Leftwing insurrectionists that led a pre-planned breach of security on the U.S. Capitol building. Known Antifa members were spotted among the growing pro-Trump crowd gathered at the Capitol. Reportedly, they disguised themselves wearing pro-Trump clothing to infiltrate the crowd to join in the planned D.C. rioting. Lisa Fithian, a long-time Democrat terror organizer and trainer including stints with Occupy Wall Street, the Obama Ferguson Riots and various unions, said In the Zoom chat describing tools and tactics of the post election ShutDownDC operation:

"Whoever’s got the guns can win – let’s take over the buildings! We are going to be in a crisis but we want it to be one that we are creating. We want to make sure that we are on the offense and not the defense. We want them to be responding to us and not us responding to them."

While President Trump was addressing a crowd of peaceful protesters on The Ellipse located within the National Mall, a mile and half away from the Capitol building, and stressing the need for a peaceful assembly, Antifa terrorists were transported into the midst of a small group assembled outside the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capital Police lifted the crowd barriers and allowed everyone to assemble on and near the Capitol steps. Some in the gathering crowd then started to attack the Police barrier lines at the Capitol steps and began assaulting the police. Antifa infiltrators, posing as Trump supporters, stormed the Capitol building and broke windows on the building to gain access. Uniformed U.S. Capitol Police Officers opened the doors and then stood idly by, allowing the rioters and gathered Trump supporters into the Capitol building.

Following President Trump's speech at the "Save America March" rally, the attendees walked down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol to "peacefully and patriotically" make their voices be heard and to "try and give our Republicans... the weak ones, the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country" as the 2020 Presidential election Electoral College vote was being tabulated and confirmed by members of the 117th U.S. Congress and Vice President Mike Pence. The crowd gathered at the Capitol and chanted, "We want Trump."

According to the Washington Post, on Monday January 4, 2021 Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund was growing increasingly worried about the size of the pro-Trump crowds expected to stream into Washington, D.C. in peaceful protest. Sund asked House and Senate security officials for permission to request that the D.C. National Guard be placed on standby for quick backup. Sund said they turned him down.

Pentagon officials said the Capitol Police did not request D.C. National Guard ahead of the protest.

The Capitol riot was not a spontaneous reaction to President Trumps's speech. The FBI stated that it had evidence days and weeks in advance of a pre-planned attack and had notified Capitol Hill leaders. Contrary to accusations otherwise claimed by others, President Trump did not incite an insurrection.

See also

• Ashli Babbitt