The death of George Floyd – a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck – in May 2020 sparked hundreds of protests across the country over the summer. In many cities, including the country’s capital, police found protesters with tear gas, violence and prisons.
However, Wednesday’s protests, many pointed out, were different. The Black Lives Matter Global Network, one of the best-known organizations fighting for the well-being of blacks, described Wednesday’s disturbances as a “coup”.
The group said it was “another example of hypocrisy in our country’s police response to the protest”.
“When blacks protest for our lives, we are often greeted by National Guard troops or policemen equipped with assault rifles, shields, tear gas and battle helmets,” the group said in a statement. “Make no mistake, if the protesters were black, we would have taken tear gas, beaten and maybe shot.”
Here’s a look at last year’s protests, compared to Wednesday’s.
June 2, 2020
Members of the DC National Guard, armed and wearing camouflage uniforms, were on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last June, while crowds of protesters held a peaceful protest after several days of demonstrations.
During Wednesday’s events, protesters had already entered the building before the DC National Guard was activated.
January 6, 2021
Hundreds of pro-Trump protesters on Wednesday stormed the Capitol and filled the building’s stairs. In some images, police officers could be seen using pepper spray. Tear gas was also released, but it is not clear whether by the protesters or the police, and people wiped away tears as they coughed.
June 1, 2020
Before Trump made his comments at the Rose Garden last June, police near the White House fired tear gas and fired rubber bullets at protesters in an effort to disperse the crowd for the president’s planned visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church .
Earlier in the day, Trump encouraged the nation’s governors to more aggressively attack protesters in their states.
After speaking, Trump passed the protesters to the church for a photo.
January 6, 2021
Pro-Trump protesters pushed metal fences and breached the United States Capitol building, walking around the complex for several hours.
Trump had directed the National Guard to Washington along with “other federal protection services,” according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. The entire DC National Guard has been activated by the Department of Defense, according to the Pentagon.
June 3, 2020
Last June, protesters in Washington, DC, repeatedly faced tear gas. Many were arrested. A protest resulted in 88 arrests.
By comparison, Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert Contee said on Wednesday night that the police made 52 arrests – 26 of which were made at the US Capitol.
January 6, 2021
Trump supporters flooded the Capitol steps while Congressional leaders evacuated the complex after a blockade.
A federal law enforcement official told CNN that the DC National Guard did not plan to be used to protect federal facilities, and the Trump administration decided earlier this week that it would be the task of civil law enforcement.
CNN’s Leah Asmelash and Rashard Rose contributed to this report.
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