The impact of the Capitol building takeover and riots Wednesday have been felt by those all over the country, from national leaders to representatives of the city of Athens.
On Jan. 6, a group of Trump loyalists marched on the Capitol building to express their disagreement with the electoral votes finalizing Joe Biden as president-elect. All staff and officials were evacuated from the building.
Rep. Steve Stivers, R-OH, tweeted to call for rioters to obey the law and follow direction from Capitol police. Stivers highlighted a difference between protesting and rioting, tweeting, “Protestors have a right to be heard - a right that I’ve fought overseas for.”
State Rep. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, also posted a statement on Facebook to express his thoughts on the situation. Edwards wrote he hopes those involved in the riot are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. However, in the same post, Edwards referred to those in support of the summer of 2020 protests as hypocrites, saying not everyone at the Capitol yesterday was violent.
“Some of the rioters and looters we’re seeing on TV weren’t even Republicans or Trump supporters. Some were Antifa,” Edwards wrote.
These claims implicating Antifa are false.
Leaders in Athens and at Ohio University also condemned the riots.
“I am deeply saddened by yesterday's violent confrontations at the U.S. Capitol,” Chris Knisely, Athens City Council president, said in an email. “I am confident that our Athens community supports civility and peace as we transition to a new President to lead our nation.”
This sentiment was echoed by OU President Duane Nellis on Twitter yesterday evening, tweeting that the events in the Capitol stand against who we are as Americans, and higher education must do better to promote more peaceful protests.
“President Nellis joined college and university leaders across the country in condemning the events that took place in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6,” Jim Sabin, university spokesperson, said in an email. “Higher education can and must lead the way in inspiring civil debate in our divided society.”
