Justice for J6 rally

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| title = Justice for J6

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| image = Matt Braynard 20210918-2.jpg

| caption = Former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard speaking at the Justice for J6 rally

| date = {{Start date and age|2021|9|18}}

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| causes = Right-wing support for the participants of the January 6 United States Capitol attack{{Cite news|last=LeBlanc|first=Paul|date=September 15, 2021|title=Here's everything we know about the September 18 right-wing rally in DC|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/september-18-rally-capitol-security-explainer/index.html|access-date=September 16, 2021|archive-date=September 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916102524/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/september-18-rally-capitol-security-explainer/index.html|url-status=live}} – opposition to arrests and criminal charges brought in the attack

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The Justice for J6 rally was a right-wing demonstration in Washington, D.C., in support of hundreds of people who were arrested and charged following the January 6 United States Capitol attack.{{cite web |title=Justice for J6 Rally in DC This Weekend: What to Know |date=September 16, 2021 |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/justice-for-j6-rally-in-dc-this-weekend-what-to-know/2804298/ |access-date=September 18, 2021 |website=NBC4 Washington |language=en-US}} It occurred on September 18, 2021.{{Cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Emily |last2=Lang |first2=Marissa J. |last3=Mettler |first3=Katie |last4=Jamison |first4=Peter |date=September 18, 2021 |title='Justice for J6' rally starts and ends with small crowds and tight security |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/09/18/justice-j6-rally-capitol-riot-dc/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521184208/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/09/18/justice-j6-rally-capitol-riot-dc/ |archive-date=21 May 2022 |issn=0190-8286}} The event attracted 100–200 activists. It was organized by a former Trump campaign staffer.{{cite web |last=Deliso|first=Meredith|date=September 18, 2021|title='Justice for J6' updates: Sparse crowd met with massive police presence at right-wing rally|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/justice-for-j6/?id=80019940|url-status=live |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918150740/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/justice-for-j6/?id=80019940 |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |access-date=September 18, 2021}} The event was noted for extensive security preparations and concerns over possible unrest.

Background

{{Further|Criminal proceedings in the January 6 United States Capitol attack}}

{{Excerpt|Criminal proceedings in the January 6 United States Capitol attack|paragraph=1|hat=no}}

In August, a Justice for J6 rally was organized by Look Ahead America, a nonprofit led by former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard, was scheduled to be held on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on September 18. It was Look Ahead America's third rally held in Washington, D.C.; its first was outside the Department of Justice on June 19, 2021, and its second was outside of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections facility on July 17.{{cite news |last1=Fischer |first1=Ford |date=June 19, 2021 |title=ACTIVISTS HOLD "RALLY AGAINST POLITICAL PERSECUTION" FOR JANUARY 6 DEFENDANTS AT DOJ IN DC |publisher=News2Share |url=https://news2share.com/start/2021/06/19/7668/ |access-date=October 25, 2021}}{{cite press release |work=Look Ahead America |access-date=January 19, 2023 |date=May 27, 2021 |title=LAA Announces Rally Against Political Persecution on June 19 at the DoJ |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/laa-announces-rally-against-political-persecution-on-june-19-at-the-doj/}}{{Cite news |last=Elwood |first=Karina |date=2021-07-17 |title=Protesters rally at D.C. jail against Jan. 6 riot arrests |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/07/17/look-ahead-america-dc-rally/ |access-date=2022-04-09 |issn=0190-8286}}{{cite press release |access-date=January 19, 2023 |work=Look Ahead America |date=June 24, 2021 |title=With #RallyAgainstPoliticalPersecution a success, a second rally planned |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/laa-declares-rallyagaistpoliticalpersecution-a-success-announces-second-rally-at-dc-prison-for-july-17/}}

Look Ahead America had also held satellite rallies in nine states prior to the September 18 rally. On July 14 it held a rally in Arizona, which included speakers U.S. Representative Paul Gosar and State Representative Mark Finchem.{{cite news |last1=Mimms |first1=Sarah |date=August 16, 2021 |title=A Short-Lived Trump Campaign Staffer Is Now At The Head Of The Far Right's Jan. 6 Counternarrative |work=Buzzfeed News |publisher= |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/sarahmimms/matt-braynard-jan-6-counternarrative |access-date=October 25, 2021}}{{cite web |work=Look Ahead America |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/laa-announces-rep-paul-gosar-to-address-rallyagainstpoliticalpersecution/ |title=Rep Paul Gosar to address the Rally Against Political Persecution |date=June 17, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.lookaheadamerica.org/azrally |title=Arizona Rally to #FreePoliticalPrisoners |work=Look Ahead America }} The other eight rallies held on July 17, 2021, took place in Georgia,{{cite news|url=https://www.georgiarecord.com/patriots-rally-for-dc-political-prisoners-in-north-atlanta/|title=Patriots Rally For DC Political Prisoners in North Atlanta |work=The Georgia Record|date=July 17, 2021|access-date=October 25, 2021}}{{Better source needed|date=January 2023}} Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming.{{cite web |work=Look Ahead America |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/satellite/|title=LAA Announces Satellite Rallies to #FreePoliticalPrisoners |date=July 12, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/laa-ten-state-rally-to-freepoliticalprisoners-an-important-first-step/ |title=LAA Ten-State Rally to #FreePoliticalPrisoners: An Important First Step |date=July 19, 2021 |work=Look Ahead America }}{{Primary source inline|date=January 2023}}

The rallies were intended as a show of support for people charged for participating in the attack. Lawmakers and law enforcement officials expressed their concerns over possible unrest at the rally.{{Cite news|last=LeBlanc|first=Paul|date=September 15, 2021|title=Here's everything we know about the September 18 right-wing rally in DC|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/september-18-rally-capitol-security-explainer/index.html|access-date=September 16, 2021|archive-date=September 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916102524/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/september-18-rally-capitol-security-explainer/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Zanona |first1=Melanie |last2=Wild |first2=Whitney |date=August 27, 2021 |title=Renewed fears of political violence grip Capitol Hill ahead of right-wing rally |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/27/politics/renewed-fears-of-political-violence-grip-capitol-hill/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907145754/https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/27/politics/renewed-fears-of-political-violence-grip-capitol-hill/index.html |archive-date=September 7, 2021}}{{cite news |last=LeBlanc |first=Paul |date=September 6, 2021 |title=Ex-FBI official says law enforcement needs to take upcoming right-wing rally in DC 'very seriously' |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/06/politics/september-18-rally-dc-andrew-mccabe-cnntv/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907025246/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/06/politics/september-18-rally-dc-andrew-mccabe-cnntv/index.html |archive-date=September 7, 2021}}{{sp}}

On August 27, 2021, Matt Braynard on behalf of Look Ahead America and Cara Castronuova of Citizens Against Political Persecution (CAPP) filed a formal complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee regarding the plight of the prisoners.{{cite news |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/hrc/ |title=LAA, CAPP File Formal Complaint with UN Human Rights Committee, Demand Sanctions Against Key Biden Administration Officials |work=Look Ahead America |date=August 27, 2021|last1=Braynard |first1=Matt }}{{cite news |last=Tillman |first=Zoe |date=September 18, 2021 |title="Justice For J6" Says They're Rallying For Nonviolent Offenders. Most Alleged Capitol Rioters In Jail Are Charged With Violent Crimes. |work=Buzzfeed News |publisher= |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetillman/insurrection-defendants-jail-rally-political-prisoners |access-date=October 24, 2021}}

= Preparations =

{{Broader|Security preparations for the inauguration of Joe Biden#Removal of the fencing|topic=the fence around the U.S. Capitol}}

Matt Braynard stated in interviews that the rally is "100% about #JusticeforJ6 and not the election or any candidate."{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/572268-sept-18-rally-organizer-asks-attendees-not-to-wear-pro-trump |title=Sept. 18 rally organizer asks attendees not to wear pro-Trump clothing |work=The Hill |last=Schnell |first=Mychael |date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=October 22, 2021}} The official Look Ahead America website discouraged attendees from wearing political gear, stating "Do not wear or bring political, candidate, or another organization’s paraphernalia. This includes clothing or banners supportive of President Trump or President Biden."{{cite web |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/rally/ |title=Rally for #JusticeforJ6 at the US Capitol |work=Look Ahead America }}

In response to the rally's announcement, the Metropolitan Police Department was activated for September 18. There were also discussions about restoring the fencing surrounding the Capitol, though they were initially met with bipartisan disapproval. It was unclear how many people planned to attend the event.{{sp}}

A counter-rally was subsequently scheduled on the same day, heightening concerns over participants of both events clashing. The Department of Homeland Security shared an intelligence briefing memo to state and local law enforcement agencies, which warned of potential violence at the rally and on the day before.{{sp}}The memo did not identify a specific or credible plot associated with the event, but it also warned that individuals and small groups can "mobilize to violence with little-to-no warning, particularly in response to confrontational encounters with perceived opponents or calls for escalation by key influencers."{{cite news |last=Sands |first=Geneva |date=September 16, 2021 |title=DHS warns of potential for violence surrounding the 'Justice for J6' rally in intelligence brief |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/politics/dhs-intelligence-brief-potential-violence/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916195625/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/politics/dhs-intelligence-brief-potential-violence/index.html |archive-date=September 16, 2021}}

The protective fencing was restored along with facial recognition cameras{{efn|The fencing had been raised in the aftermath of the Capitol attack, and subsequently removed in July.}} around the Capitol by September 13, and multiple congressional offices were slated to close on September 17. Delegate to the US House of Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, and member of the Democratic Party, said that the fence used for the security preparations for the inauguration of Joe Biden "should not be used to preemptively block people from protesting on Capitol grounds, no matter their views," as the rally was covered under the First Amendment.{{Cite news |last=Silverman |first=Ellie |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Former Trump campaign operative plans rally for those charged in Capitol riot |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/09/02/justice-j6-rally-capitol-riot/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904054417/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/09/02/justice-j6-rally-capitol-riot/ |archive-date=September 4, 2021}} Although the fencing was removed shortly after the rally, the facial recognition cameras continue to be deployed around the Capitol.{{cite news |url=https://www.axios.com/police-protective-fence-capitol-riot-25bcd37a-8bd0-45fe-aa80-d97fb4a93a99.html |title=Police to reinstall fence around U.S. Capitol ahead of pro-Capitol riot rally |work=Axios |last=Gonzalez |first=Oriana |date=September 13, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.axios.com/senate-offices-closing-ahead-of-justice-for-j6-demonstration-4c599fa2-8348-48e7-a4b8-8f66805f460a.html|title=Senate offices closing ahead of "Justice for J6" demonstration |work=Axios |last=Treene |first=Alayna |date=September 16, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916200534/https://www.axios.com/senate-offices-closing-ahead-of-justice-for-j6-demonstration-4c599fa2-8348-48e7-a4b8-8f66805f460a.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Rupar |first=Aaron |date=September 17, 2021 |title=The Justice for J6 rally is Trump supporters' latest attempt at revisionist history |url=https://www.vox.com/2021/9/17/22674450/september-18-justice-for-j6-rally-explained|access-date=September 18, 2021 |website=Vox |language=en}}{{sp}}

Rally

100 to 200 demonstrators attended the rally.{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Perris |title=4 arrested during protests, confrontations around Justice for J6 rally on Capitol Hill |work=FOX 5 |date=September 18, 2021 |url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/tight-security-plans-in-place-at-capitol-as-police-brace-for-justice-for-j6-rally |language=en |access-date=September 20, 2021 }} Capitol Police made an estimation that a maximum of 450 people were in the crowd, which was made up of demonstrators, counter-demonstrators, and journalists, with the media reported to even outnumber the demonstrators at times. Among the speakers were Look Ahead America rally organizer Matt Braynard, Citizens Against Political Persecution co-founder Cara Castronuova, and family members of the prisoners. No member of Congress attended, though Mike Collins, who ran for Georgia's 10th district, and Joe Kent, who ran for Washington's 3rd district, did.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/justice-for-j6-dc-rally-protest-uscp-arrest/2806087/|title=Crowd Rallies in DC to Support Jan. 6 Defendants; Capitol Police Arrest 4|author=Sophia Barnes, Associated Press|publisher=NBC 4 Washington|date=September 18, 2021|access-date=September 18, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/rallylive/|title=#JusticeforJ6 Rally Live at the US Capitol}}Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/TExbauJR-AQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210918161135/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TExbauJR-AQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TExbauJR-AQ| title = LIVE: The #JusticeforJ6 Rally at the US Capitol | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

The event occurred without incident and remained a peaceful demonstration as planned. Four people were arrested before and after the rally, although D.C. police said they made no arrests related to the rally. Earlier in the day, two people were arrested for outstanding firearms violation warrants. One man arrested nearby was found to be in possession of a large knife.{{cite news |first1=Kevin |last1=Johnson |first2=Bart |last2=Jansen |first3=Savannah |last3=Behrmann |first4=David |last4=Jackson |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/09/18/justice-j-6-updates-live-dc-rally-supporting-capitol-rioters/8338765002/ |title=Rally for Capitol riot suspects draws small crowd of protestors amid heavy security |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 18, 2021 |access-date=September 18, 2021}} Another arrested 15 minutes after the rally, a US Customs and Border Protection officer, was found to be in possession of a gun but was not prosecuted.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/federal-officer-arrested-carrying-gun-at-j6-rally-won-t-be-charged-and-officials-won-t-say-why-b1923775.html |title=Federal officer carrying gun at J6 rally won't be charged and officials won't say why |website=The Independent |access-date=January 19, 2023 |first=Justin |last=Vallejo |date=September 21, 2021}}

The rally was noted for its contradictory statements.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/j6-rally-capitol-riot-b1922717.html|title = Capitol rally 'Justice for J6' seeks to sanitise the insurrection|website = Independent.co.uk|date = September 18, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/free-political-prisoners-lock-her-211959253.html|title='Free the political prisoners' and 'lock her up': The Justice for J6 rally was many things to many people|date=September 18, 2021 }}

The event saw heightened security presence by the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/18/1038551992/us-capitol-january-6-j6-rally-washington|title=Hundreds Rally In Support Of Capitol Riot Suspects Amid Heightened Police Presence|first=Joe|last=Hernandez|publisher=NPR|date=September 18, 2021|access-date=September 18, 2021}}

Events elsewhere

Both during and after the September 18 rally, Look Ahead America had rallies in 17 other states.{{cite news|url=https://heavy.com/news/justice-for-j6-time-locations-map/|title=Justice for J6 Rally Time, Locations & Map: Where Will the Protests Be?|author=Stephanie Dube Dwilson|publisher=Heavy|date=September 18, 2021|access-date=October 25, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/sep/10/us-capitol-rally-organizers-look-expand-13-states/|title=U.S. Capitol rally organizers look to expand protests to 13 state capitals|author=Emily Zantow|publisher=The Washington Times|date=September 10, 2021|access-date=October 25, 2021}} Two were held on the same day as the rally: Charlotte, North Carolina and Seattle, Washington.{{cite news|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/justice-for-j6-rally-charlotte-north-carolina/275-edcc484c-2c5b-4382-ba3d-bc11f5687f5b|title=Charlotte group among 18 protests across U.S. rallying for those arrested after Capitol riot|publisher=WCNC Charlotte|date=September 18, 2021|access-date=October 25, 2021}} The 15 other state rallies occurred in Arizona,{{cite news |url=https://www.azmirror.com/2021/09/25/arizona-justice-for-j6-rally-draws-small-crowd-of-extremists-gop-officials/ |title=Arizona 'Justice for J6' rally draws small crowd of extremists, GOP officials |first=Jerod |last=MacDonald-Evoy |newspaper=AZ Mirror |date=September 25, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2021}} California, Colorado,{{cite news |url=https://www.westword.com/news/denver-justice-for-j6-rally-preview-12416344|title=Denver's Justice for J6 Rally: A Preview |first=Michael |last=Roberts |publisher=Westword |date=September 24, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2021}} Georgia,{{cite news |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/justice-for-january-6th-rally-held-at-georgia-state-capitol |title='Justice for January 6th Rally' held at Georgia state capitol |work=Fox 5 Atlanta |date=September 26, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2021}} Iowa, Kansas,{{cite news |url=https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/02/tiny-rally-at-kansas-capitol-seeks-big-change-in-treatment-of-jan-6-political-prisoners/ |title=Tiny rally at Kansas Capitol seeks big change in treatment of Jan. 6 'political prisoners' |first=Tim |last=Carpenter |newspaper=Kansas Reflector |date=October 2, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2021}} Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina,{{cite news |author=Bustos |first=Joseph |date=September 24, 2021 |title=SC GOP candidates for US House, Senate will speak at rally backing Jan. 6 rioters |work=The State |publisher= |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article254433848.html |access-date=October 25, 2021}} Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.{{cite web |url=https://lookaheadamerica.org/j4j6rallies/|title = Braynard: "September 18 #JusticeforJ6 Rallies in DC, NC, WA Massive Success, Many More to Come" [Schedule Below]|date = September 23, 2021}}

2022 candlelight vigils

On the first anniversary of the January 6 attack, Look Ahead America organized 35 candlelight vigils taking place across 12 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.{{Cite news|last=Eamon|first=Whalen|date=January 6, 2022|title=Across the Country, Republican Groups Are Holding "Vigils" for January 6 "Patriot Martyrs"|work=Mother Jones|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/01/across-the-country-republican-groups-are-holding-vigils-for-january-6-patriot-martyrs/|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106111140/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/01/across-the-country-republican-groups-are-holding-vigils-for-january-6-patriot-martyrs/|archive-date=January 6, 2022}}{{Cite news|last=Klawans|first=Justin|date=January 6, 2022|title=Organizer of 35 Vigils Supporting 1/6 Says Rioters Will Be 'Patient' for Justice|work=Newsweek|url=https://www.newsweek.com/organizer-35-vigils-supporting-1-6-says-rioters-will-patient-justice-1666579|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107003828/https://www.newsweek.com/organizer-35-vigils-supporting-1-6-says-rioters-will-patient-justice-1666579|archive-date=January 7, 2022}}{{Cite news|last=Bedard|first=Paul|date=January 6, 2022|title=Facebook Blocks site helping Jan. 6 defendants|work=Washington Examiner|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/washington-secrets/facebook-blocks-site-helping-j6-defendants|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109084436/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/washington-secrets/facebook-blocks-site-helping-j6-defendants|archive-date=January 9, 2022}} Among these locations were:

Nogales, Phoenix, Prescott, Yuma, and Queen Creek, Arizona{{Cite news|last=Sievers|first=Caitlin|date=January 6, 2022|title='Justice For J6' Vigil Planned For Thursday Night In Phoenix|work=MSN|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/justice-for-j6-vigil-planned-for-thursday-night-in-phoenix/ar-AASvhHv|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220125120804/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/justice-for-j6-vigil-planned-for-thursday-night-in-phoenix/ar-AASvhHv|archive-date=January 25, 2022|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Sievers|first=Caitlin|date=January 5, 2022|title=AZ Police On The Lookout On Jan. 6 Insurrection Anniversary|work=Patch|url=https://patch.com/arizona/phoenix/az-police-lookout-jan-6-insurrection-anniversary|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106000333/https://patch.com/arizona/phoenix/az-police-lookout-jan-6-insurrection-anniversary|archive-date=January 6, 2022}}
St. Augustine, Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale, Largo, Lakeland, Milton, and Vero Beach, Florida{{Cite news|last1=Gardner|first1=Sheldon|last2=Michele Jones|first2=Colleen|date=January 7, 2022|title=Two events in St. Augustine hilight vast divide in Capitol riot viewpoints|work=The St. Augustine Record|url=https://eu.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/01/07/january-6-defendants-relatives-decry-prosecutions-during-lakeland-vigil/9128574002/|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107195430/https://eu.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/01/07/january-6-defendants-relatives-decry-prosecutions-during-lakeland-vigil/9128574002/|archive-date=January 7, 2022}}{{Cite news|last=White|first=Gary|date=January 7, 2022|title=At small Lakeland vigil, relatives of Jan. 6 defendants decry prosecutions|work=The Ledger|url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/01/07/january-6-defendants-relatives-decry-prosecutions-during-lakeland-vigil/9128574002/|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107195430/https://eu.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/01/07/january-6-defendants-relatives-decry-prosecutions-during-lakeland-vigil/9128574002/|archive-date=January 7, 2022}}{{Cite news|last=Hawley|first=Catherine|date=January 7, 2022|title=Pinellas sheriff: Man brought explosive device to jailhouse rally opposing detention of Jan. 6 suspect|work=WTVT|url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/pinellas-man-arrested-for-bringing-destructive-device-to-courthouse-jan-6-sheriff-says|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107211221/https://www.fox13news.com/news/pinellas-man-arrested-for-bringing-destructive-device-to-courthouse-jan-6-sheriff-says|archive-date=January 7, 2022}}
Jefferson and Woodstock, Georgia{{Cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Patricia|last2=Bluestein|first2=Greg|last3=Mitchell|first3=Tia|date=January 4, 2022|title=The Jolt: David Perdue staffs up with seasoned GOP operatives ... and Kemp allies|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/the-jolt-david-perdue-staffs-up-with-seasoned-gop-operativesand-kemp-allies/ZP55SH7NKZAELI6FCHZCDZ4CO4/|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104130034/https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/the-jolt-david-perdue-staffs-up-with-seasoned-gop-operativesand-kemp-allies/ZP55SH7NKZAELI6FCHZCDZ4CO4/|archive-date=January 4, 2022}}
Columbus, North Carolina{{Cite news|last=Mackenzie|first=Hannah|date=January 6, 2022|title=Vigils in Asheville, Columbus reflect on Jan. 6 riot|work=My40 TV|url=https://my40.tv/news/local/vigils-in-asheville-columbus-reflect-on-jan-6-riot|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125123824/https://my40.tv/news/local/vigils-in-asheville-columbus-reflect-on-jan-6-riot|archive-date=January 25, 2022}}
Aiken, South Carolina{{Cite news|last=Koch|first=Alexandra|date=January 6, 2022|title=Aiken vigil promotes equal justice, unity after Jan. 6 riot|work=The Aiken Standard|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/news/crime/aiken-vigil-promotes-equal-justice-unity-after-jan-6-riot/article_4035d756-6f4f-11ec-86f0-f7207a884617.html|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107112130/https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/news/crime/aiken-vigil-promotes-equal-justice-unity-after-jan-6-riot/article_4035d756-6f4f-11ec-86f0-f7207a884617.html|archive-date=January 7, 2022}}
Washington, D.C.{{Cite news|last=Petrizzo|first=Zachary|date=January 6, 2022|title=Candlelight Vigil Outside of D.C. Jail for Jan. 6 Rioters Draws More Gawkers Than Participants|work=Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/candlelight-vigil-outside-of-dc-jail-for-jan-6-rioters-draws-more-gawkers-than-participants?source=articles&via=rss|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107043902/https://www.thedailybeast.com/candlelight-vigil-outside-of-dc-jail-for-jan-6-rioters-draws-more-gawkers-than-participants?source=articles&via=rss|archive-date=January 7, 2022}}

Micki Witthoeft, the mother of Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt who was killed during the riot, was present at the vigil in Washington, D.C.{{Cite news|last1=Silverman|first1=Ellie|last2=Wm. Moyer|first2=Justin|last3=Davies|first3=Emily|date=January 6, 2022|title=Rival Jan. 6 vigils reflect deep divides over insurrection|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/01/06/dc-vigils-january-6-capitol/|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106111256/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/01/06/dc-vigils-january-6-capitol/|archive-date=January 6, 2022}}{{Cite news|date=January 7, 2022|title=Photos: Around DC on the Anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection|work=Washingtonian|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/01/07/photos-around-dc-on-the-anniversary-of-the-january-6-insurrection/|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107200021/https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/01/07/photos-around-dc-on-the-anniversary-of-the-january-6-insurrection/|archive-date=January 7, 2022}}

Reactions

Ahead of the event, Braynard criticized the security measures established in response to the event, saying they were designed to discourage and deter participants.{{cite news |last1=Jansen |first1=Bart |last2=Carless |first2=Will |last3=Johnson |first3=Kevin |last4=Rouan |first4=Rick |date=September 17, 2021 |title='Might just be me and a bullhorn': Meet the unlikely organizer of the Justice for J6 rally in DC |work=USA Today |publisher= |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/09/17/justice-j-6-organizer-ex-trump-staffer-election-fraud-promoter/8379295002/ |access-date=September 18, 2021}} In response to the planned rally, former U.S. President Donald Trump called it a "setup" for Republican voters, saying, "If people don't show up they'll say, 'Oh, it's a lack of spirit.' And if people do show up they'll be harassed."{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/16/trump-justice-j6-setup-capitol-512260|title=Trump calls upcoming 'Justice for J6' rally a 'setup'|publisher=Politico|last=Ward|first=Myah|date=September 16, 2021|access-date=September 18, 2021}} For the most part, congressional Republicans had distanced themselves from the demonstration, saying little if anything about it.{{Cite news|last=Broadwater|first=Luke|date=September 15, 2021|title=Republicans, Wary of Political Fallout, Steer Clear of Rally for Riot Suspects|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/us/politics/republicans-justice-for-j6-rally.html|access-date=September 18, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |last=Lejeune|first=Tristan|date=September 18, 2021|title=Republicans keep distance from 'Justice for J6' rally|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/572805-republicans-keep-distance-from-justice-for-j6-rally/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205110454/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/572805-republicans-keep-distance-from-justice-for-j6-rally/ |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |url-status=live|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=The Hill|language=en}} On social media, far-right groups, such as the Proud Boys, and certain allies of such groups, had been urging their members and others not to attend the event.

According to Mother Jones, extremism experts criticized the media for exaggerating the potential for violence at the rally prior to it taking place.{{cite web |last=Breland |first=Ali |date=2021-09-17 |title=Extremism experts: The media is overhyping potential violence at tomorrow's "Justice for J6" rally. |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/09/extremism-j6-capitol-media-researchers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917233857/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/09/extremism-j6-capitol-media-researchers/ |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-10-06 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) described security at the event as more "well-prepared" in contrast to the 2021 Capitol attack.