The ‘Justice for 6’ right-wing rally in Washington, DC — in support of the jailed insurrectionists that were arrested after the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol — brought a new wave of concern about more potential violence on Capitol Hill as law enforcement prepared for a variety of scenarios, while outside, fencing was reinstalled. Former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard organized the event that’s underway right now. While Republicans have tried to distance themselves from the rally, it does have some support. “White Lives Matter” has reportedly advertised global demonstrations for September 18 and has supported the January 6 insurrectionists online. However, it doesn’t have a DC chapter.
While it was being reported earlier in the day that the event might have a dismal showing, Braynard told the Washington Post on Friday, “Already this rally is a success,” adding that “there’s going to be so much media,” before claiming. “It’s not really a numbers game; it’s a message game.”
Sure, buddy, go with that.
An important alternative take. Braynard can say this, but terror succeeds with numbers, not just attention. Recruitment, money, validation all come from being able to present a win. Trump’s army look like losers to recruits; paper tigers to the curious. It is a good narrative. https://t.co/vNFR46lgHB
— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) September 18, 2021
It doesn’t appear that the rally has many attendees, according to Andrew Beaujon of the Washingtonian. There is, however, a lot of press there to cover the event. And if former President Donald Trump is watching the spectacle from home, he will likely be very disappointed.
The police presence here is intense—D.C. cops and US Capitol Police. Also a good number of journalists! Not too many people who appear to be attendees at this early hour pic.twitter.com/9BYPrMXO5V
— Andrew Beaujon (@abeaujon) September 18, 2021
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I very generously estimate 100 rally-goers. Things are scheduled to start soon so I guess we’ll see
— Andrew Beaujon (@abeaujon) September 18, 2021
Lots of reporters!
Good example of the journalist to attendee ratio so far pic.twitter.com/FOFMiNx9VZ
— Andrew Beaujon (@abeaujon) September 18, 2021
One person with flag, lots of people with cameras pic.twitter.com/yttmoA4YWo
— Andrew Beaujon (@abeaujon) September 18, 2021
Attendance at the Justice for January 6 rally is almost all press, very few actual rally attendees pic.twitter.com/unzjG9hjKV
— Audrey Fahlberg (@AudreyFahlberg) September 18, 2021
“This is a little different turnout than we had at the Department of Justice” Braynard says. (The crowd is press)
— Andrew Beaujon (@abeaujon) September 18, 2021
Watch:
Good morning from Capitol Hill.
The #JusticeForJ6 rally is scheduled to begin in 45 minutes at 12pm ET.
So far, maybe a couple dozen rally attendees are here — significantly outnumbered by police and media. pic.twitter.com/pPvr18ZWos
— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) September 18, 2021
That’s kind of sad.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
