Opinion

All Capitol rioters were criminals

Posted July 03, 2021 1:00 am

Byron York, like former President Trump, lives in a fantasy world. His June 30 column tries to provide a legitimate excuse for those who stormed the Capitol Jan. 6. His excuse is they got swept up in events.

Yes, they sure did and due to the presence of the "first group" and "second group" the "third group" was able to engage in serious violence. The "third group" used the huge volume of ignorant "first and second groupers" to their advantage as they smashed their way into the Capitol.

Every person who was part of the mob at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and participated in any way enabled the violent group of Trump's delusional followers to attack our democracy and threaten the certification of President Joe Biden.

Everyone in the mob also facilitated and caused the deaths of three police officers who were going above the call of duty as they tried to protect the Capitol and our Constitution.

So, Mr. York, you can call your rioters "common" or whatever you want to ease your conscience, but they are without a doubt criminals.

Phyllis O'Neill

Elgin

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