Rock musicians react to pro-Trump supporters taking over Capitol Hill
What was supposed to be a peaceful transition of power this morning in Washington D.C. was anything but. Ahead of the Electoral College certification process, lame-duck President Donald Trump held a “Stop The Steal” rally where he fanned the flames of allegations of a fraudulent election.
These Trump supporters, white supremacist groups and militia groups, flags and all, marched to the steps of the Capitol where state senators were conducting a standard electoral process.
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They broke into the building, shattering windows, facing Capitol authorities and forcing reporters and legislators to hide inside, which politicians are calling an act of domestic terrorism.
PBS News Hour reports that Maryland is sending in their armed officers to try to restore peace to the National Mall to break up, what is now being called, a riot.
“This is not dissent, this is chaos,” President-Elect Joe Biden says in an afternoon press conference. “President Trump, step up,” Biden says, asking Trump to address the United States.
Around 4 p.m., Trump tweeted out, “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”
Republican congressman Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one who aligns with Trump’s party, tweeted, “This is a coup attempt,” earlier this afternoon.
As of 6 p.m., Washington D.C. is under a curfew.
Here are some reactions from musicians who have been following today’s story.
Set It Off‘s Cody Carson describes being “disgusted, embarrassed, and ashamed” of what he is seeing on Capitol Hill
I’m absolutely disgusted, embarrassed, and ashamed of what I’m seeing right now. Deplorable doesn’t even come close.
— 💖 Cody Carson 💖 (@CodySIO) January 6, 2021
YUNGBLUD may originate from the UK, but he does love and care about his fanbase in America. He has actively supported the Black Lives Matter movement and is heartbroken to see domestic terrorists treated more humanely than those who fought for basic human rights.
it is so sad to me watching the far right break into the capitol building. the protests happening months ago fighting for basic human rights faced severe police brutality for not even a fraction of the aggression. it is truly heartbreaking. im praying for the safety of everybody.
— YUNGBLUD is a lowlife (@yungblud) January 6, 2021
Dan Campbell of the Wonder Years pointed out how different demonstrations are treated differently in America.
Remembering what they did to protestors at Standing Rock. Remembering what they did in Kenosha. Remembering what they did to my friends on 676 this summer. Remembering how ready they were to spill blood for Target and Walmart.
— Dan Campbell (@headabovewater) January 6, 2021
Issues bassist Skyler Acord shared a tweet describing how the police are a force that work for “whiteness and rich assholes.”
Uhhhhhh where the tear gas? The rubber bullets? The fucking tanks? I’m so mad. If you need more help to realize that the police are an occupying force and work for whiteness and rich assholes you’re fucking blind
— Skyler Acord (@Skyduck64) January 6, 2021
Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello shared this horrifying picture of several armed guards when Black protesters were in Washington D.C. He tweeted, “Makes ya think…” He also shared a photo of a rioter walking off with a Capitol Hill podium with no reaction from police inside.
Makes ya think… https://t.co/9PN5o8T3bv
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) January 6, 2021
Here’s a looter stealing a podium from inside the U.S. Capitol and not getting shot, tear gassed, or thrown in an unmarked police van. #MakesYaThink pic.twitter.com/LX6PVddqCe
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) January 6, 2021
Defeater shared this video where disability protesters who wanted to protect their healthcare were violently thrown out of the Capitol Building.
— Defeater (@Defeater) January 6, 2021
Tom DeLonge tweeted out these pictures of those who breached the building and overtook the Senate chambers. He shared that Trump and the Republican party made this happen.
Trump cult in Senate Chamber right now. pic.twitter.com/8cZCCyT1ca
— Tom DeLonge (@tomdelonge) January 6, 2021
Guns drawn INSIDE the Capitol. Trump did this, his party inflamed it. pic.twitter.com/BJn5pBR0HW
— Tom DeLonge (@tomdelonge) January 6, 2021
pronoun wonders why BLM protesters are subject to much different treatment than domestic terrorists at the Capitol.
so yall can find BLM protestors via face recognition but cant properly estimate the turnout of a domestic terrorist group? got it, got it…
— PRONOUN fka pronoun (@musicpronoun) January 6, 2021
Anti-Flag described the protest, “As American as racist, tasteless, rancid apple pie,” on Twitter as they process the events in Washington D.C. They also shared how, despite the removal of Trump from office, violent extremists will still exist in America. “Optimism over cynicism,” the band tweeted. Anti-Flag bassist Chris Dos also says, “Destroy Nationalism.”
https://twitter.com/anti_flag/status/1346917948326178817?s=20
https://twitter.com/anti_flag/status/1346904170494910464?s=20
https://twitter.com/ChrisDos/status/1346935877717647362?s=20
Known for his political songs, grandson tweeted out that it’s “getting embarrassing” to identify as American.
When she asks me where I’m from I catch my tongue before saying I’m American
It’s getting embarrassing..
— grandson (@grandson) January 6, 2021
Waterparks‘ Awsten Knight describes Trump supporters who descended on the Capitol as “embarrassing fucking losers” in his trademark bold text.
EVERY TIME I GO ONLINE I SEE TRUMP OR HIS SUPPORTERS DOING SOMETHING EVEN DUMBER THAN THEY DID THE DAY BEFORE, EMBARRASSING FUCKING LOSERS, DROWN IN QUICKSAND
— ST*R (@awsten) January 6, 2021
Creeper‘s Will Gould quote-tweeted this shocking video between Trump supporters and officers inside the building.
https://twitter.com/willghould/status/1346937044593999874?s=20
Andy Black described seeing “nothing patriotic” about storming the Capitol today from those demonstrating “asinine behavior.”
https://twitter.com/andyblack/status/1346932811521921025?s=20
Anthony Green didn’t stutter.
The president is a terrorist .
— anthony green (he/him) (@AnthonyGreen) January 6, 2021
Cassadee Pope, formerly of Hey Monday, is rendered speechless by today’s news.
Been staring at this empty tweet box for too long at a loss for words. Figured posting that would say enough in itself.
— Cassadee Pope (@CassadeePope) January 6, 2021
Buddy Nielsen of Senses Fail tweeted out how we ironically spend an insane amount of money on defense, but didn’t have defense at the Capitol.
Maybe we could use some of that 100 gabillion dollars we spend on the Defense budget to maybe get some better cops at the Capitol building or maybe like some defense?????
— Buddy Nielsen (@buddythechud) January 6, 2021
Lil Nas X honestly gave us a much-needed laugh.
that’s enough i’m stepping in pic.twitter.com/a4dKFdjLgE
— ☆ (@LilNasX) January 6, 2021
Jeff Rosenstock says it’s time to “defund the police” after seeing how they treated violent extremist groups in a kinder manner than they did peaceful BLM protesters.
Reworded: BLM protestors would never be allowed to step foot inside the Capitol. We saw that this summer don't fucking deny it. If these people today were not white they'd be beaten and if they got inside anyway they would be murdered. Fuck white supremacy and defund the police.
— Jeff Rosenstock (@jeffrosenstock) January 6, 2021
Ice-T is just sayin’ the facts.
Just imagine for a second if BLM tried this BS.. Just sayin.
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 6, 2021
iDKHOW‘s Ryan Seaman shared his disappointment in the country.
https://twitter.com/ryanseaman/status/1346975229373984769?s=20
A Day To Remember guitarist Kevin Skaff made an appropriate metaphor for what he saw today from the mob.
America broke up with its insane toxic significant other, got into a new healthy relationship, and this is the ex keying their car saying “if I can’t have you no one will”
— Kevin Skaff (@Kevineffinskaff) January 7, 2021
Telle Smith thinks things have to get worse before they get better. “We need to really take a look at the type of America we want to build for future generations and act accordingly,” he tweeted.
https://twitter.com/tellesmith/status/1346978549278785539?s=20
Rou Reynolds, frontman for Enter Shikari, shared horrifying images of violent domestic terrorists from inside the Capitol, one of whom was carrying a Confederate flag. Reynolds hopes to see an impeachment or the enactment of the 25th Amendment take place.
I hope I wake up to the 25th amendment activated or an impeachment. pic.twitter.com/NLStdUjjym
— ʀ⎊ᴜ ʀᴇʏɴ⎊ (@RouReynolds) January 7, 2021