Small Crowd Attends ‘Justice For J6’ Rally Near Capitol Amid High Security

A sparse crowd gathered Saturday around the U.S. Capitol to protest for the hundreds of Trump supporters prosecuted in connection with the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

Around 100 to 200 protesters initially came to the Saturday rally, which the organizers called a “Justice for J6” rally. Even though the number grew over time, it was far smaller than a permit for 700 attendees the organizers have acquired for the event. The rally also lasted for 90 minutes only, after it began at noon.

The Capitol police have also vastly outnumbered protesters as not to repeat the tragic Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

The Capitol police announced via tweet that “approximately 400 to 450 people were inside the protest area today (excluding law enforcement).”

 

Even though the rally was relatively peaceful, as the organizers have emphasized, there were still signs of potential violence.

Capitol police also announced that a man had a gun at the rally and that he has now been detained and charged with “unlawful activities.”

“At this time, it is not clear why the man was at the demonstration,” the department tweeted.

 

A week before the event, a 44-year-old man from California was arrested near the Democratic National Committee (DNC) building Monday morning after the  Capitol Police found illegal weapons in his car.

More than 600 Trump supporters have been charged with participating in the deadly riot that killed dozens back in January.

Brian Sicknick, a Capitol officer on duty during the riot, died after being hit with a fire extinguisher while trying to contain the rioters. Four Capitol officers have committed suicide following the event.

Former President Donald Trump, however, defended the rioters who were prosecuted for attacking the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“Our hearts and minds are with the people being persecuted so unfairly relating to the January 6th protest concerning the Rigged Presidential Election,” Trump said in a statement issued by his Save America PAC earlier this week. “In addition to everything else, it has proven conclusively that we are a two-tiered system of justice. In the end, however, JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!”