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Figures from the radical QAnon movement are telling their supporters not to attend a rally on Capitol Hill demanding “justice” for those charged with the January 6 riots.
Officials in Washington, DC are bracing for the possibility that hundreds of extremists will be in the capital on September 18 to attend “Justice for J6,” an event hosted by Matt Braynard, a former Donald Trump campaign employee.
Capitol Police said they were aware of the “online chatter” that far-right groups were considering returning to the US Capitol building. The department said it would install a security fence around the building before Saturday’s rally.
He also asked for the support of outside law enforcement and National Guard officers “when needed.”
Ahead of the rally, a number of influential figures from the QAnon movement warned supporters not to attend because they fear the event is in fact a setup to trap conspiracy theorists, white supremacists and others. extremists.
Ron Watkins, the former administrator of the 8kun message board site, who some believe played the mysterious character known as “Q”, wrote on Telegram that the September 18 rally had “a very high probability of becoming a false flag event “.
“I won’t name the event. I don’t approve of the event. I hope neither of you attend,” Watkins added. “Do yourself a favor and stay away from DC on September 18th.”
Lawyer Lin Wood, a popular figure in the QAnon movement which has more than 814,000 Telegram subscribers, wrote a long message warning people to stay away from “Justice for J6”. Wood also continued to falsely suggest that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and that the results could be overturned in several states.
“I think a big rally in Washington this weekend is a BAD idea,” Wood wrote.
“While I know there is public sentiment among Americans regarding the individuals in jail as of January 6, I think a rally on this issue right now is a BAD idea.
“I urge ALL to avoid DC on September 18 and focus on small community gatherings over the next few weeks calling for audits of the 2020 vote.”
Sidney Powell, another lawyer supporting QAnon who worked with Wood on the widely derided “Kraken” trials, also urged people to stay away from DC for fear of potential violence.
“As much as we support the January 6 defendants and vehemently oppose the brutality inflicted on them, we can only be concerned that the planned September 18 protest is DC,” said Powell. “[It] will be used by the wrong people to cause violence and chaos that we don’t want and certainly don’t need. “
Elsewhere, We The Media Telegram, a collection of QAnon supporters with more than 240,000 subscribers, accused the rally of actually being organized by the FBI.
“If after knowing what we have learned so far any of you are stupid enough to witness this latest FBI sponsored FF [false flag] patriot picnic, then you deserve whatever happens to you, ”the group wrote.
Far-right group Proud Boys made a similar comment about September 18, one of its chapters describing the rally as “bait” on Telegram.
“If you come together in Washington right now, you’re an idiot and you’re going to throw people in jail or worse,” the group added.
While there is no real indication that Saturday’s rally will be as crowded as the January 6 protests that preceded the Capitol storm, police are taking no chances.
“We are here to protect everyone’s First Amendment right to protest peacefully,” Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said. “I urge anyone who thinks of causing trouble to stay home. We will enforce the law and not tolerate violence.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said police appeared “much better prepared” for the September 18 rally than they were before January 6.
“I think they are ready for whatever might happen,” he added.
Capitol Police and DC Police have been contacted for comment.
Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
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