Today on Sojourner Truth:
A white mob of Trump supporters bent on insurrection violently stormed the U.S. Capitol building yesterday in scenes that shocked the world. Thousands of protesters had been called by Trump to descent on D.C. on the day Congress was to vote to accept the results of the recent presidential election. They were further encouraged by Republican senators and members of the House who vowed to object to the results of the Electoral College in a last-ditch attempt for Trump to continue as President of the United States. This, despite the reality that he lost both the popular vote and Electoral College votes. Trump was also pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to ensure that the Biden-Harris win would not be accepted. Additionally, he had previously called the Georgia Secretary of State, in an act which many have described illegal, to pressure him into finding thousands of votes to ensure a Trump win in Georgia. The Georgia Secretary of State refused.
Trump went further on Wednesday, January 6, speaking to a crowd that gathered at D.C., calling on them to march to the Capitol buildings and "not be weak." What unfolded was a scene on Capitol Hill not seen since the British stormed and burned the Capitol building in 1812. After the chaos, Congress with the blessing of Pence regrouped and went on to certify the Biden-Harris win. Despite the fact that even after the day's violence some senators and House members continued to object to accepting the Electoral College or popular vote. Notable for all of the world to see was the contrast with how law enforcement has consistently violently attacked Black Lives Matter protesters, as witnessed in the June 2020 protests in Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C. We have also seen this around the country, from Portland and Los Angeles to New York City and Washington State. Photos have been shown circulating on social media showing a well-prepared military force ready to meet Black Lives Matter protesters when they were in Washington, D.C. This is in stark contrast to what happened on Wednesday, when the few Capitol police on duty were quickly overrun and video has emerged of some of them taking selfies and having a cozy relationship with them. Four people are reported to have died and 59 people were arrested. Meanwhile, Democrats will now have control of the U.S. Senate, given the wins by both Democratic candidates in Georgia. Some are now calling for Trump to be immediately removed from office.
Today's guests are Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons, Maurice Cook and Dr. Peniel Joseph.
