‘If post-Trump America wants to see a semblance of normalcy after Donald Trump leaves the White House, then it has no choice but to send a clear and categorical signal that such violent and abhorrent tendencies will not go unpunished.’
I WAS watching chatter online about the siege at the US Capitol last January 6th. Apart from the widespread horror and disbelief at the events that were unfolding, with the occasional amusement because of the unexpected appearance of the beloved Pinoy walis tambo–one particular comment stood out among the hundreds of thousands of reactions posted online.
The sender of the tweet opined that US lawmakers now know what American school children go through–lockdown drills in case an active shooter comes on the premises.
There is perhaps nothing more terrifying for young children and teenagers than practicing how to save their own lives from madmen who should not be wielding high-powered arms in the first place. So now, American adults in positions of power have tasted the terror that these children go through, and perhaps this should lead them to take a second look at how such incidents can be effectively prevented.
If you were bothered by seeing the events as they unfolded, unfortunately it seems that the rest of the world is only finding out days later how truly disturbing the intent of these people were. It’s been harrowing to see videos and photos coming out days after the siege, with eyewitness accounts revealing exactly how bloodthirsty the violent elements were–there were those who were actively looking for Vice President Mike Pence (who, until recent weeks, was protected by his association to President Donald Trump) to “hang him for being a traitor.”
White privilege was also on full display during the siege. In any other situation, it would have been unthinkable for these people to have walked out of the Capitol on their own after the havoc they wreaked inside. But yes, a lot of us watched in amazement as police even escorted some of those who stormed the Capitol, something you rarely see at peaceful protest actions.
However shocking these events may have been (as well as the possibility that these may be repeated, if appropriate steps are not taken) it seems law enforcement institutions have wasted no time to ensure that these violent elements are brought to the dock–rewards have already been made available for those who can give information that leads to the arrest of people shown to have committed unlawful acts during their “peaceful action.”
If post-Trump America wants to see a semblance of normalcy after Donald Trump leaves the White House, then it has no choice but to send a clear and categorical signal that such violent and abhorrent tendencies will not go unpunished. Find all of them and put them where they belong–behind bars.
