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What do we call what happened today if not a fascist rally? To recap: The goal was to overturn the results of a free and fair election because the far-right's preferred candidate lost.
In attendance were *numerous* extremist figures and groups, representing QAnon, the Proud Boys, the Groypers/America First movement, Infowars, etc. At least one extremist figure was a recently elected congresswoman who spreads antisemitic conspiracies.
There were chants of "America First!" during a speech by a white nationalist podcaster, and later at the Washington Monument a speaker boasted about what the "white race" can achieve if they "unite." https://twitter.com/MacWBishop/status/1327796798807814144
There was violence in the streets after dark, committed against journalists and cheered on by the President of the United States who referred to those who oppose fascism as "scum."
Far-right and white nationalist figures on Twitter actively encouraged bloodshed, fascism, and civil war. Twitter has not removed the accounts involved.
And because people weren't dumb enough to display swastikas or give Nazi salutes, high-profile members of an increasingly authoritarian Republican Party promoted the event as peaceful and patriotic. People like a sitting U.S. Senator. https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1327816549105872897
Fascism and white supremacy aren't always going to be as explicit as "Unite the Right." I'd argue what we witnessed was pretty damn explicit, but please bear in mind that just because you dress this shit up as MAGA or America first doesn't mean it's not just as toxic.
Don't let people reframe this by showing Trump supporters singing badly to YMCA. This wasn't democratic. It wasn't peaceful. The goal is authoritarian rule.
Oh and one last point: This isn't over. These people don't disappear after Biden assumes office in January. They will continue to be a persistent threat to our communities and our loved ones.
