A year ago today, in the early afternoon, a rally for President Donald Trump turned to mayhem outside the U.S. Capitol. Certification of the 2020 election stopped, after angry protestors pushed into the building and lawmakers, along with VP Michael Pence, were ushered away. The Electoral count resumed in the evening, after crowds dispersed and law enforcement secured the premises; Joseph Biden was officially declared winner.
The incident, which I won’t characterize for lack of first-hand knowledge, is a turning point for the American Republic. If polls can be trusted, the direction depends much on point of view, which largely divides along party lines: Many Democrats see an attempted coup intended to steal the election. Many Republicans believe the election already had been stolen and constituents gathered to support the real President.
Choose your side wisely.
I leave my limited opinions and extensive analysis to three missives posted 12 months ago: “Citizens Are The True Symbols Of Our Democracy“, “Divided We Stand“, and “Flowers Anyone?” Also: “Some Common-Sense Perspective“, August 2021. For today, when news images and videos present massive crowds surrounding the U.S. Capitol and clash between law enforcement and protesters, I offer an alternative: Serene shot from April 7, 2007. The Featured Image comes from Canon EOS 20D and EF 135mm f/2 USM lens. Vitals: f/8, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, 135mm; 4:14 p.m. EDT.
I captured three slightly different perspectives that day: Dome center, right, and left—the latter presented as deliberate editorial comment about the political leanings of the current administration.
I will add this: Release of video surveillance, and surely there is massive amount given the building, would settle some of the divided debate about what occurred outside the Capitol—and perhaps more significantly—within.