During the BLM Protest, protesters were marching for justice but at Capitol Hill on January 6ththe protesters arrived to overturn the vote of the people. What has happened to America?

The above two pictures portray the differences between the two protests.

On June 2, 2020, when people protested for their lives, their rights, and justice, we met with the National Guard troops and police equipped with advanced rifles, shields, tear gas, and battle helmets to not let them into the Lincoln Memorial. And if those protestors made mistakes, tear gas them or shoot them to death. During the BLM Protest, DC National Guard troops were armed from head to toe with their camouflage uniform on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as the BLM Protestors held a peaceful protest in the following days.

Compared to January 6, 2021, hundreds of thousands of Trump supporter stormed the Capitol and filled the steps of the building without being clear whether it was the police or the Pro-Trump supporters who deployed the tear gas and pepper spray. But the clear thing is the differences that took place in front of our eyes without us being able to do something.  On Capitol Hill, rioters have already stepped into the building before the DC National Guard troops were activated. In some of the live streams by rioters, it has shown how some of the police officers were taking selfies with the rioters in the middle of the storm that hurdled around the Capitol. 

Why did all this happen? Was it because of the color difference? Or was it because of what the protestors were protesting for? Everyone has their interpretation of “why,” Some could sum it up as a barrier between people of color. Whereas some could say it is what it is. 

What Students Are Saying About The BLM And Capitol Hill Protests 

According to Silver Creek High School students, who participated in the BLM-Capitol Hill Protest Survey, have shown their concern about whether or not the protesters were treated fairly. The data shows about 75% of the students said it was not fair by stating, “It was not fair because they had done nothing to stop them from getting in and when they did, they still did nothing. But, on the other hand, for BLM they were shooting at them and had tear gas that was used to throw at them,”  said Abigail Flores [Sophomore Class Of ‘23].

25% of the students said yes by stating, “The BLM was fair to the people because people were protesting for a good cause…towards changing how cops treat POC… The protest at the Capitol, however, isn’t fair to the people. They were protesting because Trump lost, and Biden won fair and square. So their protest really couldn’t change anything, it did more damage than good,” stated Tiffany Zang [Freshmen Class Of ’24]

Nearly all expressed frustration and dismay over this horrific event that occurred at the capitol building and the loss of the innocent lives. The percentage mentioned above was noted among the students based on what they believed to be a disturbing double standard of treatment between the rioters who stormed the Capitol building and the peaceful protesters at the BLM protest. Someone showed concern towards the innocent people in their survey saying, “Innocent people had their businesses burned down. Destroying innocent people’s property is never okay for more funds to racial bias training and programs which weed out corrupt officers.” Several others speculated on American democracy and questioned where we go from here. What has our great nation come to?