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US - News: Increasing violence as a health and safety threat - 2021

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  • US - News: Increasing violence as a health and safety threat - 2021

    About the shocking event on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Washington D.C.....

    We are not a political site, yet we do occasionally post about political situations that become a significant health threat. For instance, we posted about the "Arab Spring" as it was developing in 2010.

    Make no mistake. This site is 100% against all violence except to defend yourself and your family. The violence that happened on January 6 is completely unacceptable. Our condolences to all of the friends and family of those who were harmed.

    There is NEVER any excuse to harm anyone. Period.

    Sadly - I think the United States is at risk of more violence. Pandemics have always been forecasted to increase societal tension and violence. Now, add a country divided 50/50 culturally and politically. While we saw some violence in our cities over the summer of 2020, the riot at the US capital is on a whole new level.

    Our political leaders on both sides seem to be stoking the emotional fire of the citizens.

    Where is a Martin Luther King when you need him or her? All of our leaders have failed us.

    I am so sad writing this.

    Please back down.

    This thread will contain news stories about the increasing political violence that is a public safety threat.

    I hope this thread is a failure.


    "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

    Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • #2

    Department of Justice
    Office of Public Affairs
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Friday, January 8, 2021

    Thirteen Charged in Federal Court Following Riot at the United States Capitol

    Approximately 40 charged in Superior Court

    Thirteen individuals have been charged so far in federal court in the District of Columbia related to crimes committed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. In addition to those who have been charged, additional complaints have been submitted and investigations are ongoing.

    “The lawless destruction of the U.S. Capitol building was an attack against one of our Nation’s greatest institutions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin. “My Office, along with our law enforcement partners at all levels, have been expeditiously working and leveraging every resource to identify, arrest, and begin prosecuting these individuals who took part in the brazen criminal acts at the U.S. Capitol. We are resolute in our commitment to holding accountable anyone responsible for these disgraceful criminal acts, and to anyone who might be considering engaging in or inciting violence in the coming weeks – know this: you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “ATF is committed to the rule of law and the protection of all citizens’ Constitutional rights,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Deputy Director Regina Lombardo. “We continue to support our law enforcement partners to ensure those who violated the law during the events at the Capitol this week are brought to justice. ATF has dedicated all appropriate resources to complete these investigations as soon as possible.”

    “Today’s charges are just the beginning of the FBI’s ongoing efforts to hold those responsible for the criminal acts of violence and destruction that unfolded during the U.S. Capitol building breach on January 6th,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “To be clear, what took place that day was not First Amendment-protected activity, but rather an affront on our democracy. The FBI, along with our local, state and federal partners, is committed to ensuring that justice is served. We will continue to aggressively investigate each and every individual who chose to ignore the law and instead incite violence, destroy property, and injure others."

    “Deputy U.S. Marshals responded to support U.S. Capitol Police after the incursion into the Capitol building. Our deputies helped to clear the building and escorted members of Congress back to the main chamber for official business,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington. “US Marshals will now bring to bear our fugitive investigations expertise to ensure that individuals charged in federal warrants are brought to face justice. Respect for the rule of law is a foundational principle for our democracy and the freedoms that it provides. Unlawful acts will not go unpunished.”

    “The events that happened at and around the United States Capitol were unconscionable, and those responsible will be held accountable for their attempts to thwart Democracy,” said Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Police Robert J. Contee III. “While these charges represent a positive step, there is still work to be done. Our collective intentions are to work diligently to identify all of the persons responsible for the insurrection at our U.S. Capitol.”

    Thirteen individuals have been charged with federal crimes. The defendants and charges are outlined below:
    1. Cleveland Meredith was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with making interstate threats to Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
    2. Richard Barnett, of Arkansas, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful entry; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records. Barnett allegedly entered a restricted area of the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
    3. Lonnie Coffman, of Alabama, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device) and carrying a pistol without a license. It is alleged that Coffman’s vehicle contained 11 explosive devices known as Molotov cocktails and firearms. It is further alleged he was in possession of two firearms. Coffman was arrested and is currently being held. His detention hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2021.
    4. Mark Leffingwell, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; assault on a federal law enforcement officer; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Leffingwell allegedly entered the Senate side of the Capitol and when stopped by law enforcement, struck an officer in the helmet and chest. Leffingwell is currently being held and has a detention hearing in district court today.
    5. Christopher Alberts, of Maryland, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with carrying or having readily accessible, on the grounds of the United States Capitol Building, a firearm and ammunition. Specifically a Taurus G2C, 9mm handgun and 9mm caliber ammunition. The defendant appeared in district court and was released. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 28, 2021.
    6. Joshua Pruitt, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. The defendant appeared in district court and was released. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 28, 2021.
    7. Matthew Council, of Florida, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Council allegedly unlawfully entered the Capitol building, and when stopped by law enforcement, he pushed the officer.
    8. Cindy Fitchett, of Virginia, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
    9. Michael Curzio, of Florida, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
    10. Douglas Sweet, of Florida, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
    11. Bradley Ruskelas, of Illinois, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
    12. Terry Brown, of Pennsylvania, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
    13. Thomas Gallagher was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

    In addition, approximately 40 individuals have been arrested and charged in Superior Court with offenses including, but not limited to, unlawful entry, curfew violations, and firearms-related crimes.

    The cases are being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and are being investigated jointly by the FBI; U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; United States Marshals Service; U.S. Capitol Police Department; and the Metropolitan Police Department.

    The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

    The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Attachment(s):
    Download Barnett - Complaint
    Download Barnett - Statement of Facts
    Download Coffman - Affidavit in Support
    Download Coffman - Criminal Complaint
    Download Leffingwell - Complaint
    Download Leffingwell - Statement of Facts
    Download Alberts - Complaint
    Download Alberts - Statement of Facts
    Download Pruitt - Complaint
    Download Pruitt - Statement of Facts
    Download Council - Criminal Complaint
    Download Council - Statement of Facts
    Download Fitchett et al - Complaint
    Download Fitchett et al - Statement of Facts
    Component(s):
    USAO - District of Columbia
    Press Release Number:
    21-21
    Updated January 11, 2021

    Thirteen individuals have been charged so far in federal court in the District of Columbia related to crimes committed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. In addition to those who have been charged, additional complaints have been submitted and investigations are ongoing.

    Comment


    • #3

      Law enforcement braces for more extremist violence in DC and around the US ahead of Inauguration Day


      By Geneva Sands, CNN



      Updated 12:21 PM ET, Mon January 11, 2021

      Calls for new protests in Washington, DC, and states across the country have law enforcement bracing for more possible violence in the coming days after rioters stormed the US Capitol last week leaving five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer.

      Authorities are preparing for additional personnel to help secure the nation's capital in the coming days. A Department of Homeland Security official told CNN that the breach of the Capitol will sharpen the response and planning for inauguration.

      "Now that it happened people will take it much more seriously," the official said, referring to last week's violence. "Now, the planners, they are all going to take it much more seriously."

      more..

      Calls for new protests in Washington, DC, and states across the country have law enforcement bracing for more possible violence in the coming days after rioters stormed the US Capitol last week leaving five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer.

      Comment


      • #4
        To all of our political leaders on both sides - SHAME ON YOU.

        Stop stoking the fires of emotion in a pandemic! What are you thinking? Instead of your political career - think of what is best for the country!

        Consider this (my bolding):

        "Prevalence of Any Mental Illness (AMI)
        • Figure 1 shows the past year prevalence of AMI among U.S. adults.
          • In 2019, there were an estimated 51.5 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with AMI. This number represented 20.6% of all U.S. adults.
          • The prevalence of AMI was higher among females (24.5%) than males (16.3%).
          • Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of AMI (29.4%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (25.0%) and aged 50 and older (14.1%).
          • The prevalence of AMI was highest among the adults reporting two or more races (31.7%), followed by White adults (22.2%). The prevalence of AMI was lowest among Asian adults (14.4%)."

        https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/stat...les%20(16.3%25).


        That's right.....51.5 million adults aged 18 or older with a mental illness.

        Our leaders on both sides are ignoring this fact.

        How about reducing the inflammatory actions and rhetoric for the good of the country?

        Comment


        • #5

          FBI warns of plans for nationwide armed protests next week


          Comment


          • #6
            There is a video at this person's twitter account.

            Josh Replogle CNN
            @Joshrepp
            ?
            3h
            @mkraju

            Racks upon racks of rifles and pistols. National guard gearing up at the Capitol.

            Comment


            • #7

              ‘If you’re going to riot, you are going to jail:’ Gov. DeSantis says of potential Tallahassee protests

              DeSantis points to proposed legislation aimed at cracking down on protests

              more..


              Comment


              • #8
                Just making a note here for tracking the progression of political violence.....

                President Trump was impeached yesterday (1/13) by the House of Representatives. After the impeachment Trump asked for non-violence and calm among his supporters.

                Airbnb has cancelled all reservations in Washington D.C. in the Biden inauguration time period. At least one airline is temporarily suspending alcohol service on Washington D.C. bound flights.

                The FBI is seeking and arresting 100s of people across the country who participated in the Capital riot.

                I am not providing links because they are so highly politicized. The above facts are reported by many organizations.

                Comment


                • #9
                  the situation is very original and must pose problems of not simple law. For example : https://cyberguerre.numerama.com/970...au-social.html It is very complicated to imagine the legal situation ...

                  Comment


                  • sharon sanders
                    sharon sanders commented
                    Editing a comment
                    After FluTrackers withdrew from Twitter in September some suggested Parler. I looked at the main page and saw that it was not public. That stopped me right there. A basic guiding principle of our site is to provide free and public information. I never went any further. I understand to register people had to provide a driver's license number. That is outrageous. I would have never joined even if it was public. Additionally, I understood Parler might be considered "right" and we are not political. At the time we joined Twitter it was not "liberal" or "left". Over the years it has devolved into a super leftist, raging, targeting site. It seems they have banned some terrible speech accounts while leaving many accounts that still engage in violent talk.

                • #10
                  With all the bannings and de-platforming by general use social media monopolies of tens of thousands of accounts and at least one competitor (Parler), have we just seen a domestic Digital Act of War?


                  "Cybervandalism" or "Digital Act of War?" America's Muddled Approach to Cyber Incidents Will Not Deter More Crises
                  • January 2017

                  Authors:

                  Dunlap, Charles J., Jr

                  References (9)

                  Abstract


                  If experts say a "malicious [cyber] code"' has "similar effects" to a "physical bomb,"' and that code actually causes "a stunning breach of global internet stability," is it really accurate to call that event merely an instance of a "cyber attack"? Moreover, can you really expect to deter state and non-state actors from employing such code and similarly hostile cyber methodologies if all they think that they are risking is being labeled as a cyber-vandal subject only to law enforcement measures? Or might they act differently if it were made clear to them that such activity is considered an "armed attack"' against the United States and that they are in jeopardy of being on the receiving end of a forceful, law-of-war response by the most powerful military on the planet? Of course, if something really is just vandalism, the law enforcement paradigm, with its very limited response options, would suffice. But when malevolent cyber activity endangers the reliability of the internet in a world heavily dependent on a secure cyberspace, it is not merely vandalism. Rather, it is a national and international security threat that ought to be characterized and treated as such. Unfortunately, the United States' current approach is too inscrutable and even contradictory to send an effective deterrence message to potential cyber actors. This needs to change.

                  https://www.researchgate.net/publica...er_More_Crises

                  Comment


                  • #11
                    @Sharon ,

                    "this gigantic dataset contains 412 million files, including 150 million photos and over 1 million videos. This is the equivalent of 96-99% of all posts on the hard-right social network, according to various sources."




                    To me, she's a white hacker. "she" is a guess, I have not been to see ... there is a legal problem, and this forum should give itself the right to deal with law ... Health, like the law, is politics in a way, but there is a way and a way to talk about it. In this place, there has always been respect. So can we talk about this legal problem, or not? I write this knowing that white hackers or not can access my computer. that's the real problem ...


                    Pour moi , c'est une hacker blanc .

                    " she" c'est une supposition, je n'ai pas ?t? voir ...

                    il y a un probl?me de droit , et ce forum devrait se donner le droit de traiter du droit ...

                    La sant? , comme le droit, c'est de la politique , d'une certaine mani?re , mais il y a fa?on et fa?on d'en parler .

                    En ce lieu, il y a toujours eu le respect. Donc on peut parler de ce probl?me de droit, ou pas ?


                    j'?cris cela en sachant que les hackers blanc ou pas peuvent acc?der ? mon ordi .


                    c'est cela le vrai probl?me ...


                    Comment


                    • sharon sanders
                      sharon sanders commented
                      Editing a comment
                      I do not know the legal ramifications. I guess it was a private site since the posts were not public. Downloading the entire data base of a private site is probably some level of "stealing". It sounds by the article that you linked above there may have been some legal copyright issues with photos and videos. I also have no idea about this. Again, as to the content, there may be some legal problems with that. I never saw it so I can not comment. The server company has the database unless the owners of the site deleted it while they still had access. I suppose the US government could subpoena the server company to obtain the database. They could review it and determine if any laws were broken.

                  • #12
                    @Sharon
                    suite ? une ?mission de "c dans l'air", de ce jour:



                    il a ?t? ?voqu? la possibilit? que ce type de message ( les donnes du net ) o? des personnes se vantent ou ?voquent, que des histoires d'inceste pourraient ?tre ?voqu?es en droit ...




                    Vu ce que je sais, et vu mon histoire, il y a des r?gles au dessus de toutes les lois :

                    je ne peut imaginer pouvoir les modifier,

                    j'esp?re juste que tous les humains les aient lues et comprises, car ces r?gles , en tout lieu, doivent ?tre:

                    la d?mocratie , c'est un petit sujet, par rapport ? cela ...

                    Comment


                    • #13
                      At the beginning of the pandemic we took the action to allow only a very few people to join, mostly those with a medical, teaching, or journalist related field. We did this because we learned in the 2009 H1H1 pandemic that a large number of new posters renders the site unmanageable. We have a great team here and we can operate well as is.

                      We have no new members in the last week. lol

                      --------------------------------------------------------------------

                      Trump backers seek online refuges after big tech backlash

                      January 14, 2021


                      snip

                      Some conservative users had briefly found refuge on Parler, only to see the conservative alternative to Facebook go dark Monday when Amazon stopped providing hosting services. Parler sued Amazon over the ban; Amazon responded by arguing the platform’s “unwillingness” to remove posts threatens public safety.

                      The crackdown prompted many conservative posters to consider more obscure alternative platforms such as Gab, which has marketed itself to Trump supporters. Gab CEO Andrew Torba, who describes himself as a “Christian entrepreneur and American populist," posted Wednesday that 1.7 million users signed up in the past four days.

                      snip

                      Other platforms attracting Trump supporters include Signal and Telegram, messaging services already used by individuals and groups with different ideologies around the world, as well as a growing list of lesser-known platforms, such as Rumble, MeWe and CloutHub.

                      Telegram announced Wednesday that it had more than 500 million users, with more than 25 million signing up since Sunday.

                      Several Trump social media stars banished from the mainstream platforms have launched their own channels on the service, gaining thousands of followers in just days. A channel that claims to be run by conservative attorney L. Lin Wood Jr., who littered Twitter with false claims about the election and called on Parler for Vice President Mike Pence to be killed, has gained more than 100,000 subscribers since its first message was posted Monday. QAnon and far-right channels also have seen their membership boosted by thousands this week.

                      more...



                      Comment


                      • #14
                        Are Google and Apple going to cancel apps for facebook?


                        Facebook’s Sandberg deflected blame for Capitol riot, but new evidence shows how platform played role

                        Fliers and hashtags promoting the pro-Trump rally circulated on Facebook and Instagram in the days and weeks beforehand

                        By
                        Elizabeth Dwoskin

                        Jan. 13, 2021 at 3:27 p.m. EST

                        In the days leading up to last week’s march on the Capitol, supporters of President Trump promoted it extensively on Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram and used the services to organize bus trips to Washington. More than 100,000 users posted hashtags affiliated with the movement prompted by baseless claims of election fraud, including #StopTheSteal and #FightForTrump.

                        The details, emerging from researchers who have combed the service in recent days, shed new light on how Facebook services were used to bring attention to and boost attendance at the rally, which turned violent when a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol while Congress was in session. The attack resulted in the death of a Capitol Police officer and four other people.

                        Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg has sought to deflect blame, noting the role of smaller, right-leaning services such as Parler and Gab.

                        more..

                        https://www.washingtonpost.com/techn...pitol-protest/

                        Comment


                        • #15
                          respect :

                          Comment

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