How many 1/6 protests were there?
The January 6, 2021, event at the U.S. Capitol is primarily referred to as a single incident, often described as a riot, insurrection, or attack, rather than multiple distinct protests. However, the event encompassed several gatherings and activities in Washington, D.C., that day, which were part of the broader "Stop the Steal" movement aimed at challenging the 2020 presidential election results. Based on available information, here’s a breakdown of the key gatherings:
"Save America" Rally at the Ellipse: This was the main organized event, where then-President Donald Trump spoke. It was permitted for an estimated 30,000 participants, though classified documents suggest up to 120,000 people may have attended across the National Mall. This rally preceded the march to the Capitol.Freedom Plaza Rally: A separate permitted event on January 5 and 6, initially approved for 5,000 but later increased to 30,000 participants. This was part of the broader protest activities in D.C.Sylvan Theater Protest: Another permitted event south of the Washington Monument, approved for 15,000 participants.Capitol Grounds Gathering: After Trump’s speech at the Ellipse, a crowd marched to the Capitol, where approximately 10,000 people gathered on the grounds, with at least 2,000 entering the Capitol building itself, leading to the violent breach.While these are sometimes referred to collectively as part of the "January 6 protests," the Capitol attack is the focal point of most discussions. The FBI and Department of Justice investigations treat the Capitol breach as a single event, with an estimated 2,000 individuals involved in criminal acts. No evidence suggests multiple distinct protests at the Capitol itself, but the broader January 6 activities included these permitted rallies and the unpermitted march and riot at the Capitol.
Regarding your comparison to BLM protests, the January 6 event differs significantly in scale and nature. BLM protests in 2020 involved over 7,750 demonstrations across the U.S., with a small fraction (less than 6%) involving violence or property damage. In contrast, January 6 was a concentrated event with a specific goal (disrupting the electoral vote certification), and its violent component was highly visible, with over 140 police officers assaulted and damages estimated at $2.8 million.
