I experienced (peaceful) protest at the Capitol

I HAVE been watching with concern the difficulty the American people are having with President Trump exiting the White House and the replacment by President Biden.

I watched with horror the attack on the the Capitol Building and the destruction in the interior and the deaths.

It took me a few days to remember that I once took part in a demonstration on those very steps – without violence, of course.

I had travelled to Washington with a group of women who had been involved in this country in work against nuclear weapons, notably at Greenham Common. Helen John, from Greenham, had been invited to address a peace conference.

While there we were also meeting up with an American anti-nuclear activist group opposing the construction of new nuclear bomb-carrying planes in their area.

The US group had arranged to meet up at the White House with their senator – a woman who opposed nukes.

So we went to the White House, where a few of us with banners were allowed to stand on the steps.

We really only had about the time to take some pics and then they ordered us off.

We then had to roll up our banners and go into the house at ground level under the steps, then up in a lift to the area where senators had their offices.

I foolishly stepped forward to find the number of her room and nearly got arrested by a man with a gun. She had to come out and find us.

That gives me some understanding of how the building is ususally respected and how shocking this event has been for peace-loving citizens.

Anna Cheetham, Leicester