Minnesotans Mark the One Year Anniversary of the Deadly U.S. Capitol Insurrection

(KNSI) — Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is among the lawmakers in Washington D.C. today, marking the one year anniversary of the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Klobuchar recalled the events of that day and praised Capitol security for their quick thinking, saying, “I remember the moment when we were pushed out of this chamber for security reasons. I remember the staff throughout this building that were marooned in places and the faces of the police officers, the cuts on their faces.”

Congress was certifying the electoral votes for then President-Elect Joe Biden when the insurrection took place. Klobuchar called the rioters a mob who “desecrated our Capitol. The temple of our democracy.”

There was $1.5 million in damage left behind when all was said and done. One Capitol police officer was killed, another officer was beaten. Four other people also died in the siege.

Several Minnesotans have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in the riot.

Today, in Minnesota, a rally called Spotlight on Democracy was scheduled at the state Capitol in St. Paul, led by grassroots group Indivisible St. Paul. Event manager Lisa Erbes felt that what happened a year ago is a reminder of how sharply divided the country is about elections saying, “I think a lot of us felt like once we got past the election, and once it was clear that President Biden was duly elected, we could all kind of get back to normal.”

Erbes says even though chances are low for the passing of what some claim voter suppression laws in Minnesota, it’s not something to take lightly. “I think we take our voting in our elections for granted because we historically have such great voter turnout, so much engagement, but I also think it can kind of put you into a false sense of security.”

A Voter ID law for Minnesota has failed in the past. Backers of that approach say it’s not voter suppression, but rather they want to restore faith in elections.

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MNC Reporter Mike Moen contributed to this report.

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