Supporters of those arrested for the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S Capitol spend their nights outside Washington DC's city jail. Jack Tame joined them.
I spent an extraordinary few hours at ‘Freedom Corner’ outside Washington DC’s main prison.
It’s a nightly vigil held every day for more than two years now, in which family members and supporters of those arrested for the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S Capitol meet and live stream.
Regardless of one’s thoughts on January 6, many of the people who gather for the vigil have had their lives terribly affected.
See more from Jack Tame at Freedom Corner on TVNZ+
I spoke with Nicole Refitt, whose 18-year-old son reported his own father to the FBI. Guy Refitt was sentenced to more than seven years in prison. Just imagine the Refitt family’s dynamics, now...
I spoke with Micki Witthoeft, whose 35-year-old daughter, Ashli Babbitt, was shot and killed by Capitol Police.
The women at Freedom Corner believe the last election was stolen. Despite the fact Donald Trump has never proved his spurious claim and records a long list of failed legal challenges over the 2020 vote, they remain totally convinced of a different reality to that which made Joe Biden the US President.
I’ve never experienced such a stark illustration of how different people in different information eco-systems can have profoundly different perceptions of reality. The people at Freedom Corner are as convinced of their reality as you and I, of ours.
It was a strangely moving experience.
During my time at Freedom Corner, they phoned J6 inmates on the inside and offered them support and kind words. They danced to Donald Trump-themed songs (surprisingly catchy).
Surrounded by candles, flags, and the names of their mortal and immortal idols (Donald Trump and Jesus, respectively) they finished by playing the Star Spangled Banner.
J6 inmates inside the prison flicked their light switches on and off: a connection between those on the outside and those on the inside.
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