Letter: Capitol insurrectionists were not patriots

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To the Editor:

Some believe they are patriotic, then became a mob, insurrectionists and terrorists storming the U.S. Capitol. Capitol Police officers died resulting from the terrorists fight of Jan. 6. Anyone who says it wasn’t a terrorist attack shows complete disrespect for the officers who battled that day.

President Donald Trump began his attack on the electoral system when running against Hillary Clinton. Besides his slogan of “lock her up,” he said the only way Clinton could win was if the “election was rigged.” At the very beginning, he had in mind and attitude and behavior if he ever lost an election he would say it was rigged and that it was stolen.

This attack on the Capitol, led by Trump, was premeditated and a planned set of lies to steal the election from the rightful winner. During his first campaign, I identified Trump as a bully boss. Now, he is a mob boss who demands others do his dirty work. Watching the attack on TV, I became horrified and began to cry. It was a devastating moment to see people trying to overturn how the majority of us voted in 2020.

If this crowd is indicative of the Republican Party, then I am ashamed of being a registered Republican. The mob was a group of thugs, not patriots. I listened to two police officers give testimony to Congress and again it horrified me. U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell said it was the first time he actually feared for his life, even after combat in Iraq. I cried for that day, for the severe physical and psychological injuries the officers received and being called traitors. I cried for our country and myself. God bless the United State of America.

Richard Rill

Crystal Lake