Jan 6

Five years have passed and it is time for a review of two major events, first the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and second the January 6, 2021 attempt to take over the government. The death of Floyd resulted in nation wide protest that lasted almost one year. Considered the largest protest in US history, spread to over 2,000 cities. In the US, 25 people died and more than 1,000 buildings were damaged at a cost of $2 billion including a police station and several federal buildings. The protest led to reforms in police departments including the cutting of funds along with other activities such as removing confederate statues. 120 people were found guilty of crimes and 70 were sent to jail. On January 6 about 10,000 people headed for the Capital Building and about 2,500 entered the capital starting about 1:30 in the afternoon and ending about 8 PM. Four protestors died and Capital police officer died the next day from a heart attack. The cost to repair the damage was $3 million. 1575 people were charged with federal crimes and 1126 were convicted and 720 were sent to jail The different response by the authorities is justified by saying the crime of Jan 6 was more serious.