Remember What It Looked Like When Black Lives Matter Protested in Washington?

Today a large right-wing protest full of Trump supporters and election deniers filled the streets of Washington, DC. They proceeded to breach the paltry defense of the United States Capitol, where members of Congress had begun ratifying the Electoral College votes. While the police stood to the side, letting protesters through, the protesters barged into Congress, forcing members to go into hiding.

This is the clear consequence of Donald Trump’s prodding and right-wing organizing. It clearly shows that the police, who stood aside and let it happen, are on the side of the far-right. It shows the stark contrast between how white, far-right protesters are treated by police compared to Black Lives Matter protesters — all summer we got tear gassed for just walking down the street. And most importantly it shows that you can’t beat Trumpism or the far right at the polls — we can only beat them in the streets.

The following are images of how the far right protesters today were treated compared to Black Lives Matter protesters last summer. These images are difficult to witness and may be triggering. But we have chosen to post them to highlight that the police are on the side of the far right and to highlight that we need to organize to fight against them.

Here are some images:

Far-right protesters in the Capitol today:

Protesters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, near the Ohio Clock. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Police crack down on peaceful protesters outside the White House during the Black Lives Matter protest on June 1.

Far-right protesters with confederate flags in the Capitol building:

Police tear gas and beat up peaceful protesters in June:

Far-right Trump supporters outside the Capitol Building today, advancing without any resistance from the police.

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Police violently arrest a peaceful protester in D.C in June:

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police officers detain a man as they clear the entire area around Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House, June 23. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Far-right protesters take selfies with police officers after storming the Capitol building:

Police block central roads around Capitol Hill, including Black Lives Matter Plaza, in June:

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police officers clear the entire Black Lives Matter Plaza area of protesters, June 23. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

All Eyes on Columbia: We Must Build a National Campaign to Defend the Right to Protest for Palestine

After suspending and evicting students and ordering the repression of a student occupation, Columbia University has become the ground zero for attacks against the pro-Palestine movement. What happens at Columbia in the coming days has implications for our basic democratic rights, such as the right to protest.

Against the Criminalization of Opinion and in Defense of Our Right to Support Palestine: We Must Stand Up!

In France, the repression of Palestine supporters is escalating. A conference by La France Insoumise (LFI) has been banned; a union leader has been arrested and charged for speaking out for Palestine; court cases have increased against those who “condone terrorism”; and the state has stepped up its “anti-terrorism” efforts. In the face of all this, we must stand together.