Capitol clashes hold US principles in contempt

This is not who we are.

We are a country founded on democratic principles, freedoms and rule of law.

We have the chance to elect our leaders — a particularly hardfought privilege.

We may not like the results, we may dispute them and seek judicial redress over issues of alleged ballot abuse. We may be angry and shout our grievances and take to the streets with signs and raised fists.

But we are not a country where protesters voice their dissent by storming the Capitol. That’s to be expected in places where democracy is still an aspiration, where the rule of law is non-existent or up for sale.

It happened here, Wednesday, when angry supporters of President Trump breached the U.S. Capitol in a protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power, forcing lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupting challenges to Joe

Biden’s Electoral College win.

According to the Associated Press, senators were evacuated and some lawmakers in the House tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices.

Tear gas was deployed in the Capitol building. Protesters broke the glass door of the chamber of the House floor, and plainclothes Capitol Police officers inside the House chamber drew their guns. A single gunshot was heard in the chamber.

The White House called out the National Guard to help end the violent occupation.

This is not 1775, we are not fighting for our freedom from Colonial rule. We held a presidential election, our 59th, and as in other years, some dispute the results.

Often we have reason to be disillusioned and even enraged by our lawmakers. But they shouldn’t have to risk their lives in the course of representing their constituents.

We are Americans, and this is beneath us and everything we stand for.