Wednesday January 6th 2021 was a turning point in U.S. history. Pro-Trump supporters, protesting the November 2020 Presidential election result stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Ironically the U.S Capitol is regarded by Americans as the American Seat of Democracy enshrined in The Constitution of the United States. The violence on that day broke the Rule of Law reminiscent of the 2019-2020 riots in Hong Kong. The U.S. has a history of civil unrest, most notable in modern history the Civil Race Riots, 1955-1973. However, since the early 70s and Donald Trump’s election to office on the 8th November 2016, the streets have been relatively quiet. The election of Donald Trump was immediately met with violence.
A Sharp Rise in Political Rioting
The years 2017- 2020 marked a sharp rise in the activities of left-wing anti-fascist anti-racist political movement (Antifa) rioting on the back of Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests. Scenes of mob violence in Portland Oregon in August 2020 culminated in lives being lost and livelihoods destroyed as homes and business were looted and burnt down.
That rioting was reported as: “ANTIFA and BLM protesters continue their reign of terror.” The Capitol riot has been attributed to Patriot supporters and more particularly the Proud Boys a male-only far-right neo-fascists political organisation.
While the Antifa/BLM riots were taking place the far-right wing groups pushed back but only in small numbers. The Capitol riot marks a distinct escalation in pro-right wing violence. The threat of widespread rioting across America by these same groups predicts a dark future for democracy and the Rule of Law.
The Right to Peaceful Assembly Days Are Numbered?
The days of the right to peaceful assembly en masse has been replaced by out-of- control unlawful mob violence.
It’s quite criminal really?
