Crowd Rallies in DC to Support Jan. 6 Defendants; Capitol Police Arrest 4
As scores rallied peacefully at the Justice for J6 rally, one person nearby was arrested with a knife and police appeared to escort multiple people away from the crowd
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News4’s Mark Segraves reports that the crowd of protesters were outnumbered by law enforcement and members of the media.
U.S. Capitol Police reported four arrests and broke up an argument Saturday after scores of people rallied in support of Jan. 6 rioters.
There were some tense moments before and after the largely peaceful Justice for J6 protest. Two people with weapons were arrested near the Capitol, police said, and some of the protesters were wearing riot gear.
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One man who allegedly had a gun was charged with unlawful activities after a witness reported him to officers, Capitol Police said. It's unclear why he was at the rally.
Another man, allegedly carrying a knife, was arrested on a weapons charge about 12:40 p.m., as the rally was ongoing, police said. It wasn't immediately clear if they were attending the rally.
Earlier in the day, police stopped a car along Louisiana Avenue and arrested two people who had outstanding felony warrants in Texas, one for a firearms offense and another for probation violation. It's unclear if they were attending the rally.
A handful of counterprotesters arrived as the Justice for J6 rally was beginning, but vocal ones were steered away by police. Authorities also quickly moved in to break up an argument between opposing protesters, News4's Mark Segraves reported.
The law enforcement presence Saturday was different from what the nation saw on Jan. 6. From the coordination among agencies to the gear officers were wearing, police were taking no chances. News4's Darcy Spencer reports.
U.S. Capitol Police estimated that the crowd was about 400 to 450 people, excluding law enforcement. However, News4's Mark Segraves says members of the media vastly outnumbered the protesters, and the actual number of protesters may have been closer to 200.
The crowd began to dissipate as the organizer urged attendees to travel in groups and go home.
As people moved away from Union Square, the Capitol Police Civil Disturbance Unit responded and again separated a group of protesters and counterprotesters near Third Street and Pennsylvania Avenue without incident, police said. No one was arrested.
D.C. police said they made no arrests related to the rally.
The Justice for J6 rally put law enforcement on high alert after the insurrection and other incidents near the Capitol. Arlington police officers, deputized in an effort to step up security, were seen wearing riot gear, WTOP's Alejandro Alvarez reported.
News4's Mark Segraves captured video of police breaking up an argument between Justice for J6 rally participants and opposing protesters.
"We're not taking any chances," U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said Friday.
Rally organizer Matt Braynard, a former staffer for President Donald Trump who now runs a group called Look Ahead America, called for a peaceful demonstration. In his opening remarks, he asked people to think of the U.S. Capitol Police officers who died in the aftermath of the insurrection.
Speakers characterized the hundreds of people arrested in the Capitol riot as "political prisoners." Braynard said he wants people who aren't accused of violence freed.
News4's Scott MacFarlane has reported that most "lower-level cases" where defendants aren't accused of damaging anything or injuring anyone are being charged as misdemeanors. The most serious charges are against people accused of conspiracy, plotting and planning.
Demonstrators gather for the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2021, in support of the pro-Trump rioters who ransacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. – Washington was on high alert for the rally with security forces better prepared to avoid a repeat of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. US Capitol police said they have no indication of a specific plot associated with the rally, but warned in a news conference there had been “some threats of violence,” with a counter-rally scheduled to take place nearby. (Photo by PEDRO UGARTE / AFP) (Photo by PEDRO UGARTE/AFP via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 18: Protest organizer Matt Braynard speaks to the crowd at the Justice for J6 demonstration outside the Capitol on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Photo by Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Counter-protester Tim Smith carries a ‘LOSER’ sign as he passes by supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol plan ahead of the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: People walk by the U.S. Capitol before the start of a ‘Justice for J6’ rally in support of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. Protestors are expected to gather in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Police stand guard near the U.S. Capitol before the start of a ‘Justice for J6’ rally in support of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. Protestors are expected to gather in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: An armored vehicle is parked on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol begin to arrive for the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Police stand guard in front of the U.S. Capitol before the start of a ‘Justice for J6’ rally in support of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. Protestors are expected to gather in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: U.S. Capitol Police officers stand watch inside the security perimeter of the U.S. Capitol as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol begin to arrive for the ‘Justice for J6’ rally on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Counter-protester Tim Smith holds a ‘LOSER’ sign at the rally site where supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol plan to attend the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: A police protective helmet sits inside the security perimeter as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol begin to arrive for the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Law enforcement gather on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol begin to arrive for the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Police stand in front of the U.S. Capitol before the start of a ‘Justice for J6’ rally in support of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. Protestors are expected to gather in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Dan, a protestor who declined to give his last name, sits on a security barrier as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol begin to arrive for the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Authorities quickly moved in to break up an argument between opposing protesters, News4's Mark Segraves reported.
WASHINGTON, USA – SEPTEMBER 18: Police remove a counter-demonstrator at the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, D.C. on September 18, 2021 (Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Police in riot gear provide security as demonstrators gather for the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2021, in support of the pro-Trump rioters who ransacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. – Washington was on high alert for the rally with security forces better prepared to avoid a repeat of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. US Capitol police said they have no indication of a specific plot associated with the rally, but warned in a news conference there had been “some threats of violence,” with a counter-rally scheduled to take place nearby. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, USA – SEPTEMBER 18: Anti-fascist counter-protestors demonstrate near the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, D.C. on September 18, 2021, hosted by the Look Ahead America organization in support of those arrested during the January 6 insurrection (Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, USA – SEPTEMBER 18: Demonstrators attend the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, D.C. on September 18, 2021, hosted by the Look Ahead America organization in support of those arrested during the January 6 insurrection (Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, USA – SEPTEMBER 18: A counter-protestor demonstrates at the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, D.C. on September 18, 2021, hosted by the Look Ahead America organization in support of those arrested during the January 6 insurrection (Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Police monitor the scene as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol attend the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, USA – SEPTEMBER 18: Police remove a counter-demonstrator at the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, D.C. on September 18, 2021 (Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A counter-protestor holds a sig as demonstrators gather for the “Justice for J6” rally in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2021, in support of the pro-Trump rioters who ransacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. – Washington was on high alert for the rally with security forces better prepared to avoid a repeat of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. US Capitol police said they have no indication of a specific plot associated with the rally, but warned in a news conference there had been “some threats of violence,” with a counter-rally scheduled to take place nearby. (Photo by PEDRO UGARTE / AFP) (Photo by PEDRO UGARTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Two layers of reinforced fencing separated a grassy area with a stage from the plaza around the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
Vendors were seen wheeling carts downtown filled with American flags and affixed with signs saying “stop the steal,” a reference to unfounded claims of fraud in the 2020 election.
At least one counterdemonstrator was using a dolly to wheel around a large sign reading “loser.”
A tall fence reinforced by concrete barriers is blocking free access to the People’s House and National Guard members were on standby — but they weren't armed, officials said.
Alexis Wittman was near the rally site hours before the event was set to begin. She brought a sign that says "it's not a crime to hold a sign."
"I have friends cautioning, 'Be careful, be careful,' but you can't let that keep you from your freedoms," Alexis Wittman said. "I can be here and be a force for good if something does happen."
Thousands of police officers are working to secure the U.S. Capitol and neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., Saturday, anticipating hundreds of demonstrators to converge in support of Capitol riot defendants. News4's Derrick Ward reports.
Heightened Security for Rally
Both the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police said they planned to have “all hands on deck.”
"Your police department is down here," D.C. Chief of Police Robert Contee said in a message filmed near the Capitol. "Enjoy our city, it's a beautiful day, we've got this covered."
Police from local departments in Maryland and Virginia were called in to assist, including from Anne Arundel, Fairfax, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, officials said.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said his department sent a large platoon to D.C., that numerous Capitol area agencies are collaborating successfully and that officials ran through mock scenarios.
“We're part of this national capital region. This is important to the entire area,” he said. “What happened on January 6 can't happen again.”
U.S. Capitol Police posted photos showing dozens of officers being sworn in on a closed street.
Here are a few more pictures of the 7:15am swearing-in with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. pic.twitter.com/8biG2D2dmb
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said there was “chatter” about potential threats or violence at the rally.
“It's tough to say whether they're credible or not. We don't know with any certainty, but what we do know is that this chatter that we heard prior to January 6 obviously turned out to be,” Manger said.
Manger said potential violence between counter-demonstrators and the rally participants was a big concern for his department. One of the three counterprotest groups has had a history of clashes, he said. He did not specify or say the name of the group.
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