Wednesday of this week saw the beginning of the installation of a fence around the U.S. Capitol building. A fence that was first seen this year on January 6 when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the building in protest of the election results.
The U.S. Capitol Police are constructing the fence ahead of planned protests to come this Saturday.
A large group of citizens is expected to be there to protest the arrests and criminal prosecutions of hundreds of people connected with the January 6 riot.
The Capitol Police have also requested the Department of Defense to be ready to supply National Guard troops for extra security if needed.
Despite the protest taking place almost all the way across the nation, some UW students are still feeling connected to the issue.
“I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that January 6 was one of the darkest days for our government,” said political science major Hannah Rubenthal. “It hurts to see that we may very well have a repeat performance.”
“I love protests. I think it’s part of any good democratic process. I’m just hoping against all hope this stays a peaceful protest and doesn’t devolve like last time,” said political science major Ian Theppe.
The January 6 riots left some bad feelings for Rubenthal and Theppe.
“It’s disgusting to see one of the most important parts of our democracy come under attack,” said Rubenthal. “The peaceful transition of power is a staple of our nation and we all know when you try to take out a staple you rip the paper up too.”
“It is the right of these people to protest what they feel to be unjust,” said Theppe. “But it’s so hard to defend that right when it turns into something else. Something more violent.”
Another student argues that these protests are good thing.
“Don’t get me wrong, I dislike the fact the protests turned into what they did,” said engineering major Andrew Zhan. “However, these protests are likely to be much more positive now that tempers have cooled and we get further away from the problem.”
Zhan argued that those in the riots “may have got swept up accidently in the crowd” and are being punished unjustly.
“I’ve been in crowds and accidently got too aggressive. I imagine there at least have to be a few who don’t deserve the punishments they’re getting,” said Zhan.
Some hold the belief that these charges are the result of a bad choice and the protests are problematic.
“This is a bad joke. Why are we protesting for people who tried to damage our democracy,” asked sociology major Justin Haege. “Storming a government building is obviously going to come with a punishment. They shouldn’t get out of this.”
“All these protests are doing is normalizing harmful attitudes and actions. We shouldn’t reward people for an attempted insurrection,” said Haege.
Four people lost their lives as a result of the January riot. The next day, a Capitol Police officer died of injuries from an attack during the riot. Four officers involved in the defense have committed suicide since.
“I think everyone who values the democratic process should recognize that we can decry the riots while also respecting the rights of people to protest,” said Theppe.
“Protests are fine. Riots are not. This is toeing the line but it’s still a protest and should be allowed to take place regardless of my feelings on it,” said Rubenthal.
“Most of those people probably deserve what’s happening, but let’s give them a fair shot and not let public opinion steer their trials or punishments,” said Zhan.
“I respect the right to protest, but I think supporting these people just because they’re on your side despite the terrible thing they did isn’t right at all,” said Haege.
The fence that was dismantled in July is expected to be up before Saturday.
