As a freshman in high school, I’ve been learning about the importance of democracy and civic responsibility. However, nothing prepared me for the shocking events that took place on January 6, 2021, when a violent mob stormed the United States Capitol. This incident not only disrupted the certification of the presidential election but also left a profound impact on our nation and its political landscape. I feel like the actions of these protesters will be remembered for quite a while, but I hope they learn from their horrible mistake and the impact they made in our country.
On that day, thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump gathered in Washington, D.C., for a rally. During the rally, Trump and other speakers made claims about the election being stolen, urging their supporters to march to the Capitol. What started as a peaceful protest quickly turned chaotic as rioters breached security barriers and forced their way into the Capitol building. They vandalized offices, clashed with law enforcement, and disrupted the democratic process. The images of individuals climbing walls and breaking windows were shocking and unsettling, leaving many Americans in disbelief. If I was able to have a say in this situation, I wouldn’t even let protesting be allowed at the Capitol. It is very upsetting to see people acting this way due to an election and over a President that didn’t do much for our country.
In the aftermath of the riot, the nation faced a reckoning. The events of January 6 exposed deep divisions within our society and raised serious questions about the state of our democracy. Many of the rioters believed they were acting in defense of their rights and country, but their actions contradict the very principles of democracy they claimed to uphold. This contradiction is something that continues to trouble me as I think about the values we should cherish as a nation.
Since that day, several significant changes have occurred. First and foremost, there has been a renewed focus on accountability. Many individuals involved in the riot have faced criminal charges, with some receiving prison sentences for their actions. Law enforcement agencies have also faced scrutiny for their preparedness and response to the situation, leading to discussions about improving security measures at the Capitol and other government buildings. I feel like they need to add more laws, and more security measures around the capitol.
As much as I don’t really care about politics or about the government, I will never wish for this to happen again to police officers, other security who helped out that day, and just to our nation in general. We should be worried about more important things happening in our country instead of creating more problems.
