I’ve been on the phone and on email with a number of teachers since Wednesday afternoon (and also with a couple of high school students) that asked me how they should address the events that unfolded in Washington DC. This is my hurried response. I recommend that the assault on democracy in the nation’s Capitol be the topic in every social studies class grades 7-12. Please pull material from this lesson plan that is appropriate for your students.
Discuss: What happened? Why did it happen? How should the government and the American people respond? do? Start with a video clip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txh_cfzl-0M) and some photographs and a short reading (one paragraph) from a news source. Organize a class talk around so that every student has a chance to speak.
Aim: How should Americans respond to an assault on the country’s democratic institutions?
Do Now: “Pence and lawmakers evacuated s mobs storms the Capitol, halting Congress’s counting of electoral votes,” Source: New York Times.
“A mob of people loyal to President Trump stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, halting Congress’s counting of the electoral votes to confirm President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory as the police evacuated lawmakers from the building in a scene of violence, chaos and disruption that shook the core of American democracy. Around 2:15 p.m., as the House and Senate debated a move by a faction of Republicans to overturn the election results, security rushed Vice President Mike Pence out of the Senate chamber and the Capitol building was placed on lockdown after angry pro-Trump demonstrators surged past barricades and law enforcement toward the legislative chambers.”
Questions
1. What happened in Washington DC on Wednesday morning?
2. Why was the Capitol build placed on lockdown?
3. What is your reaction to the photograph and news story?
4. In your opinion, were the events in Washington DC a threat to democracy in the United States? Why?
Motivation/Discussion: Americans are guaranteed basic rights by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” In your opinion, were the protests yesterday and the conduct of the protesters legitimate expressions of Constitutional rights? Explain.
Activity: Working in teams, examine the timeline of events. In your opinion, who is responsible for what happened? What could have been done differently to protect the democratic process?
Source: Washington Post
6:43 AM: Far-right online forums refer to potential violence and urge supporters of President Trump to bring guns to protests in Washington DC when Congress meets to certify the election of Joseph Biden as the 46th President of the United States.
7:19 AM: The city of Washington DC announces street closings. Permit applications with the National Park Service indicate that thousands of President Trump’s supporters are expected in the city to support his claims of fraud in the presidential election.
8:36 AM: D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser requests the National Guardsmen deploy in the nation’s capital in advance of Wednesday’s protests. Pentagon officials announce the Guard wouldn’t carry firearms, use armored vehicles, or helicopters.
8:59 AM: Thousands of Trump supporters wearing MAGA hats and camouflage gear gather on the National Mall. Members of the National Guard, U.S. Secret Service and D.C. police were walking through the area.
10:43 AM: Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump call on members of Congress to reject electoral votes that would confirm their father lost his bid for a second term in office. “To all the Republicans who have not been willing to actually fight, the people who did nothing to stop the steal, this gathering should send a message to them. This isn’t their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trump‘s Republican Party.”
10:49: Several hundred Trump supporters gathered outside the Capitol Building. The vast majority of the protesters were White, and most were not wearing masks. People posed for photos with Trump 2020 flags and chanted, “stop the steal.”
11:05 AM: DC police announce that they arrested ten pro-Trump protesters, several for firearms offenses.
12:23 PM: President Trump tells a rally in front of the White House, “We will never give up. We will never concede. It doesn’t happen. You don’t concede when there’s theft involved”
1:41 PM: Crowd marches from the White House to the Capitol Building chanting “Fight for Trump!”
2:15 PM: Congress meets to count 2020 Electoral College votes. A group toppled barricades and stormed through a grassy field leading to the Capitol Building. Capitol police could not hold back the tide as hundreds of protesters kicked aside the barricades.
2: 29 PM: The Senate stops its proceedings. The House doors are closed and barricaded. U.S. Capitol Police announce no entry or exit is permitted in buildings within the Capitol Complex. Hundreds of protestors sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
2:37 PM: Washington DC Mayor announces a 6 PM curfew. President Trump tweets that protestors should remain peaceful. Ivanka Trump calls on “American Patriots” to respect law enforcement.
3:15 PM: Rioters use ropes and makeshift ladders to reach the north side of the Capitol. Dozens of rioters scale a wall and climb up scaffolding and stairs set up in preparation for Joseph Biden’s inauguration.
3:22 PM: Pro-Trump supporters enter the Senate chamber and Congressional offices. Police use tear gas.
3:36 PM: Law enforcement uses batons against demonstrators who swing flagpoles. Both sides use pepper spray. Trump supporters call police “traitors.” D.C. National Guard will be activated.
4:01 PM: Trump supporters start to flee the Capitol area.
4:17 PM: On national television, President-elect Joe Biden called on President Trump to “go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege.” On Twitter, President Trump repeats “This was a fraudulent election,” but “We have to have peace. So go home, we love you, you’re very special.”
Activity: Working in teams, read and discuss the quotes from different government officials. Which quote has the most meaning for you? Why? In your opinion, what should Congress do in response to the events on January 6?
“We will never give up. We will never concede. It doesn’t happen. You don’t concede when there’s theft involved. We won this election, and we won it by a landslide. This was not a close election.” – President Donald Trump, speaking at a rally in front of the White House, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 12:23 PM
“The voters, the courts and the states have all spoken. If we overrule them all, it would damage our republic forever . . . If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral.” – Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky and Senate majority leader
“Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today.” – Representative Nancy Mace, Republican from South Carolina
“This is what the president has caused today, this insurrection.” –Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah
“Protesters have a Constitutionally-protected right to be heard, but I urge them to remain peaceful. – Kevin McCarthy, Republican from California and Republican leader in the House of Representatives
“This is a coup attempt.” – Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois.
“This is not dissent. It’s disorder. It’s chaos. It borders on sedition, and it must end now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward . . . I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege . . . At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault . . . Today is a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile.” – President-elect Joseph Biden on National television
“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order — respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue . . . We had an election that was stolen from us, it was a landside election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side, but you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order . . . This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people . . . Go home in peace.” – President Donald Trump on Twitter
Activity: Full class talk around about the events in Washington DC focusing on the aim question: How should Americans respond to an assault on the country’s democratic institutions? Everyone will have two minutes to speak without interruption. After everyone who wants to has spoken, students will have an opportunity to respond. The rules are we must listen to and respect each other. If democracy in the United States is being threatened, we have to model that it is possible to have an open and honest exchange of ideas.
Exit Ticket and Summary discussion: In your opinion, how should Americans respond to an assault on the country’s democratic institutions?