To the Editor:

We all have dates etched in our brain that make us think about certain events. Are you old enough to remember exactly where you were when we heard about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963? Fast forward to Sept. 11, 2001, when we witnessed the most devastating attack on our country since Pearl Harbor. Do you remember exactly where you were that day? 

Fast forward again to Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying the victory of President-Elect Joe Biden. This mob had been encouraged by Donald J. Trump himself, as he stood before them and repeated the Big Lie — that the election had been stolen — and urged them to march to the Capitol and take matters into their own hands.

Do you remember where you were that day? Did you see “patriots” trying to force Mike Pence and Congress members to do the “right” thing? Or did you see a mob who disregarded lawful orders, who blatantly attacked police officers with bear spray and flag poles and bats and fire extinguishers and who chanted for the execution of the Vice president of the United States? Did you cheer the combatants on for “fighting back” to “stop the steal” as Trump had urged? Or did you watch the events of Jan. 6, 2021, in growing horror and anger?

In an effort to downplay the import of those violent actions, one of the most ludicrous claims was that the rioters were actually just “tourists” who were walking around “in an orderly fashion” inside the Capitol. What a joke.

Tourists do not attempt to disrupt a government proceeding.

Tourists do not attack police officers.

Tourists do not defecate and urinate inside the building.

Tourists do not carry weapons and zip ties inside the building.

Tourists do not set up gallows on the Capitol grounds.

As Jan. 6 approaches, we must never forget the significance of this date in 2021. We must not let stand the lies perpetuated by Trump and the MAGA faithful about that day. We must not overlook the insult to our democracy of Trump’s unconscionable pardon of the J6 rioters.

Let’s remember the honor of those law enforcement officers who stood up against the mob of insurrectionists and not the dishonor of those who supported the lies of this President with their violent actions.

Jan. 6, never forget.

Donna M. Parker,
Carol W. Larsen,
Waynesville