Veterans For Peace Hold a Mirror Up to MAGA

 

Trump appears eager to create optics that support his claim that public dissent constitutes an existential threat to the nation.

--Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Trump generously suggested that protests at his birthday bash and military parade would be met with "very big force." 

One contingent of Trump protestors set out Friday evening in DeeCee to test the president's line. Veterans for Peace had organized a Supreme Court protest that was actually a feint, as the real plan was to get on the nearby Capitol steps and stage a sit-in. Photos exist. They were just as quickly arrested and removed from the grounds. 

Here's how it upfolded, according to CBS News. Approximately 75 people recruited by Veterans for Peace had been protesting at the Supreme Court when some 60 broke off and headed quickly for the West Front of the Capitol. Uh-oh. The Capitol police began dragging barriers "to establish a perimeter." 

Capitol Police said the protesters then "crossed" a police line "while running" toward the building.

"A few people pushed the bike rack down and illegally crossed the police line while running towards the Rotunda Steps," Capitol Police said. "Our officers immediately blocked the group and began making arrests."

All 60 were arrested, of course -- most of them veterans. Two went to the hospital. They're charged with unlawful demonstration and crossing a police line (additional charges alleging assault on a police officer and resisting arrest may be brought on a handful of them). 

I'm impressed by their creativity and daring both. They held up a mirror to January 6th, using street theater that satirized a previous storming of the Capitol and risked personal physical harm in the process. What's not to admire about Veterans for Peace?

"President Trump threatened Americans coming to exercise their first amendment rights would be met with 'great force,'" Michael  T.  McPhearson, director of Veterans For Peace, said in the post. "We are the actual people who put uniforms on because we believe in the freedoms this country is supposed to be about and we will not be intimidated into silence."