David Fitzgerald, 48, of Roselle, was broadcasting live from the Capitol campus while they heard that he was under arrest, accused of illegal entry for violating the 6 pm curfew that went into effect on Wednesday night. He pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday.
ABC7 I-Team spoke to Fitzgerald after he came home on Friday afternoon. He told them he went to Washington for the rally, but found himself among those in police custody, although he said he never stepped in the halls of Congress.
He was arrested after curfew and accused of illegal entry to Capitol grounds. He was banned from DC and is expected to return to court in June.
“So when we went to DC, we had a plan. We were going to feed the homeless, clean the parks and protect people,” said Fitzgerald. “And I also wanted to see what was going to happen with the election. I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I told my friends, whatever happens, we’re in. I just wanted to be there, like, what’s going to happen. And what happened was much crazier than anything you know. “
Bradley Rukstales, 52, from the northern suburb of Inverness, was also arrested in DC for illegally entering the Capitol.
Authorities did not say whether any of the men had actually entered the Capitol building or the restricted area around them.
Rukstales is the CEO of Cogensia, a data-based marketing firm based in Schaumburg, which announced Friday night that it had been fired by its board of directors, with immediate effect.
“This decision was made because Rukstales’ actions were inconsistent with Cogensia’s core values. Cogensia condemns what happened at the United States Capitol on Wednesday and we intend to continue to embrace the values of integrity, diversity and transparency in our business operations. , and we expect all employees to embrace these values as well, “said Joel Schiltz, former COO and now acting CEO of Cogensia in a press release.
In a tweet on Thursday night, Rukstales said he entered the Capitol building.
“In a moment of extremely poor judgment after the January 6 rally in Washington, I followed hundreds of others through a set of open doors to the Capitol building to see what was going on inside. I was arrested for the first time. in my life and accused of illegal entry, “he said. “My decision to enter Capitol was wrong and I deeply regret doing so. Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that has occurred in Washington.”
He continued: “I sincerely apologize for my indiscretion and deeply regret that my action has embarrassed my family, colleagues, friends and countrymen. It was the worst personal decision in my life; no excuse for my actions and I wish I could withdraw it. them. “
The emergency curfew came after a violent attack on the Capitol of America building. DC police issued “Be On The Lookout” or “BOLO” alerts to dozens of people who broke through the gates of Congress and scattered through the hallways, including a man who was photographed with his feet up on the President’s desk. Nancy Pelosi.
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On Thursday morning, the DC Metropolitan Police Department announced that 80 people have been arrested since the protests began, including five people with illegal weapons, two others for illegal possession of other illegal weapons, 36 for curfew violations. and 25 for violations of the curfew and illegal presence at Capitólio Motivos.
District officials said the attackers were encouraged by President Trump himself at a rally a few blocks away.
“It is not just the president who should be held responsible; the same should happen to the domestic terrorists who invaded the capital and threatened members of Congress. What happened yesterday is classic terrorism,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a news conference.
The consequences of Wednesday’s unsecured chaos have begun. The Senate Arms Sergeant will be fired under the Democratic leadership and the House Arms Sergeant will retire after the Capitol is invaded.
Only one of the prisoners in connection with the disturbances was from DC, said MPD chief Robert J. Contee.
Congress confirmed Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election on Thursday after a violent crowd loyal to President Donald Trump invaded the US Capitol in an impressive attempt to overthrow America’s presidential election, undermine the country’s democracy and keep Trump in the White House.
ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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