Capitol Riot (Washington, DC)

Sue Ianni wraps herself in the Straight Pride flag outside of the Capitol Building on Jan 6
Photo credit Joseph Prezioso / AFP

Event Date: January 6, 2021

Note: Our coverage primarily deals with the presence of New England-based white supremacists, given the extensive coverage given to these events as a whole. 

Organizations Present:

White Supremacists/Fascists Present:

Key Takeaways/Facts:

  • Hardened white supremacists and mainline Trump supporters, mostly middle and owning class, descended upon the Capitol on January 6 in protest of the certification of election results confirming Joe Biden’s victory. They broke into the Capitol building, vandalized it, and 5 people ultimately died, 1 at the hands of police, 3 related to self injury and medical issues, and 1 police officer.
  • Sue Ianni organized the 11 charter buses from MA to DC for this event on behalf of Super Happy Fun America; Crystal Transport rented them the buses and lied to community members about cancelling the reservations.
  • Ianni’s role highlights the key role white women play in organizing white supremacist movements.
  • Ianni and Sahady were arrested by FBI Boston agents on Tuesday, 1/19/21 and as of this writing both have been released on personal recognizance (without a bail being imposed) while their cases proceed. Both are banned from the MA State House, and Sahady is banned from organizing demonstrations.

Impact:

  • So far, the impact of these events and the unprecedented attention on them by people unfamiliar with antifascist organizing and by the mainstream press and FBI is that SHFA members have lost their jobs and social credibility, while some face federal charges.
  • It is too early to say whether this will drive them further underground or if it will truly take the wind out of their sails; their absence at Inauguration week protests in the Boston area is notable.
  • As of this writing, the riot at the Capitol has invigorated the far right as a propaganda stunt.

Media Coverage:

Social Media Coverage