Lawsuit Demands Installation of Jan 6th Officer Memorial Plaque at US Capitol

Lawsuit to Install Jan 6th Memorial Plaque

• 🏛️ Two police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6th have filed a lawsuit to compel Congress to install a memorial plaque honoring officers who protected the building.
• 📜 Legislation authorizing the memorial received bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Biden in 2022, yet the plaque remains uninstalled.
• 📌 The lawsuit aims to ensure the history of the attack on the Capitol and democracy is not forgotten and to honor the "women and men who saved the lives of those inside the building."

Plaque Details and Installation Obstacles

• 🖼️ The plaque, already created and in storage, reads: "On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honors the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended the symbol of democracy on January 6th, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten."
• 🏛️ A similar plaque honoring officers killed in 1998 is already displayed in the Capitol.
• 🗣️ The architect of the Capitol stated that modifications are directed by the office of the speaker, and final instructions for installation have not been received from the current House Speaker, Mike Johnson.

Political Division and Accusations

• 🚫 Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to rewrite or erase the history of January 6th, suggesting this is why the plaque has not been installed.
• 🗣️ Former Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger described the issue as a "politically divisive issue."
• 🇺🇸 Speaker Johnson stated the issue was not on his radar when asked about it last month.

Officer Perspectives and Trump's Comments

• 💔 Former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell and D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges filed the lawsuit, stating their colleagues sacrificed their health, peace of mind, and some even their lives.
• 🗣️ Hodges criticized Donald Trump's comments about protecting ICE officers and his pardons of individuals involved in the January 6th assault, stating Trump "doesn't actually care about the police."
• ⚖️ The officers highlighted the disparity between discussions of restitution for January 6th attackers and the lack of acknowledgment for injured officers.

Lack of Support and Historical Erasure

• 😔 Officers feel a lack of empathy and indifference from fellow colleagues and law enforcement organizations who have not stood with them.
• 🚫 The lawsuit is not about frivolous litigation but solely to honor the officers who defended the Capitol.
• ✊ The host and staff assure that the service and actions of the officers on January 6th are not forgotten and are honored.