In Orleans, Impacts Of Insurrection Still Resonate; Jan. 6 Front Of Mind At Start Of Presidential Election Year

ORLEANS – Behind a gathering of protesters fronting Main Street along the town’s village green Saturday, a woman approached Anne Moore looking for a sign.

“We’re all out of signs,” said Moore, a Brewster resident and member of the Lower Cape Indivisibles, “unless you want ‘Trumpism attacks police protecting democracy?”

“Alright,” the woman said gamely.

The Orleans rally was one of many held by Indivisibles nationwide on the third anniversary of the U.S. Capitol insurrection. Locally, a second rally was held on Martha’s Vineyard in Oak Bluffs.

January marks the start of what promises to be a busy presidential election year. And with former President Donald Trump, whose words and actions are at the heart of the insurrection at the Capital, seeking re-election, Moore said it’s important that voters keep in mind the events that took place on Jan. 6, 2021.

“We jumped on it,” Moore, who serves on the action team for Lower Cape Indivisibles, said of the group’s decision to stage the Orleans rally. “That was right up our alley. It’s a good way to kick off 2024 being a presidential year.”

About 40 people gathered on the village green to protest the insurrection, many carrying homemade signs with slogans such as “Defend democracy,” “Nobody is above the law,” and, most to the point, “Remember January 6.”

One motorist Saturday afternoon took the opportunity to heckle the protesters while waiting at a traffic light. But for the most part, those gathered near the intersection of Main Street and Route 28 were greeted with waves and honks of support from passersby.

“From what I’ve seen and in conversations with folks including Democrats, Republicans and folks who are unenrolled, everyone looks at that as a stain on our history,” said State Rep. Chris Flanagan, D-Dennis, who represents part of Brewster.

Flanagan, who formerly worked for Massachusetts Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry, said the 2021 insurrection is “personal” given how intimately he knows the Capitol and the surrounding area. He also noted that he has friends who were working in the buildings surrounding the Capitol at the time of the attack.

“I couldn’t imagine ever working there thinking that we would have a group of Americans attacking our own Capitol building, incited by our very own president,” he said.

The insurrection, which was spurred on by Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen in favor of President Joe Biden, led to one insurrectionist being fatally shot. It also resulted in 174 police officers being injured and approximately $2.7 million in damages to the Capitol.

“Trump can do this all over again if he loses,” Moore cautioned. “And if he wins it’s even worse, but if he loses he’s going to try all over again to do the same stuff, all the lies.”

“Remember the lessons of Jan. 6,” echoed Brewster resident Francine Lipani, also of Lower Cape Indvisibles. “Remember what can happen.”

Moore and Lipani also read statements from U.S. Rep. Bill Keating and State Rep. Sarah Peake, who were unable to attend the rally in person.

Keating, who was in Washington on the day of the insurrection, urged voters to keep the actions of that day front of mind when they head the polls for the primary and general elections.

“We must recommit ourselves to fighting for democracy and to fighting against the forces that prioritize political self interest over loyalty to our nation,” he wrote.

In her statement, Peake said the anniversary also marks a time to pause and give thanks to the Capitol police who worked to “protect and save our democracy” during the insurrection.

“I’ve gotten to know several of the Capitol police over the last year,” she said. “In conversation with them regarding Jan. 6, their resolve to protect as well as the memories of the horror of that day were clear on their faces.”

She added, “We came very close to losing the freedom and democracy we hold dear. All of us must do the necessary work to ensure we do not face such a danger this year.”

But while the former president and the insurrection were front of mind Saturday, Moore said Indivisibles and their many branches are looking at races well beyond the presidential election. That includes for the New York special election that is coming up to fill the seat recently vacated by former U.S. Rep. George Santos. She said she hopes Saturday’s rally will serve as a call to action for residents.

“Complacency is not an option,” she said. “Vote, vote, vote, vote, vote.”

Flanagan said voters need to elect people who are “trustworthy and believers in good governance.”

“[Jan. 6 is] a reminder now that we’re in 2024 that decency is on the ballot, and good governance is on the ballot,” he said. “Jan. 6 is a reminder of a real low point in American history that’s not that distant.”