Speier to Host Online Town Hall with Michael Fanone and Sgt Aquilino Gonell on Anniversary of January and the Rise of Fascism in America

Statement

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14) will host an online town hall with former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone and United States Capitol Police Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell today at 6 p.m. PT regarding their and her experiences during the mob assault on the Capitol last year. They will also share their views of what Congress and others can do to stop the ex-president and his supporters from rewriting history. Tonight's discussion kicks off a series of town halls the congresswoman will host throughout the next several months to fight against the rise of fascism here in the United States.

"The assault on the Capitol wasn't a "normal tourist visit.' It wasn't a peaceful protest. It wasn't even a rowdy protest, as some of my congressional colleagues have shamefully tried to claim. It was an attempted coup and will no doubt be used as a test run for another deadly assault if Congress fails to make clear to the American public what happened on that day and fails to hold responsible those who took part in the bloody siege seek and those seeking to whitewash history," Rep. Speier said. "For many Americans, this is the first time we are facing such a serious threat of fascism on our own soil. We must be truthful with the American public about the danger we face and do everything we can to stop the malevolent forces seeking to seize and retain power through any means necessary. We also owe a debt of gratitude to former Officer Fanone and Staff Sgt. Gonell for their service that day and ever since to see that the truth is told and to defend our democracy."

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