Raleigh, North Carolina – A Raleigh woman shares the moment when she and hundreds of other North Carolinians witnessed rioters who breached the U.S. Capitol Building earlier this week.
Wake County Republican Party spokeswoman Donna Williams says supporters of President Donald Trump were not responsible for the attack.
He explained his experience in a letter sent by e-mail to other party members. She said she and hundreds of other Republicans in Wake County went to DC to show support for the president and thank him for his service.
“It ended up the way it did … it was heartbreaking,” Williams described.
He traveled with hundreds of other Republicans to participate in Trump’s ‘March to Save America’ rally.
“It was such a speakerly and patriotic moment. There were so many different speakers,” Williams said.
The event then turned violent when riot police broke into the Capitol and caused the building to stop.
In his letter, Williams wrote, “I don’t think the patriotic Republicans started the riots. I personally observed those who appeared to be professional agitators who incited the violence of the crowd.”
“I don’t know 100% because I don’t know all the people who were there,” he said Saturday.
There is no evidence that anyone was paid to participate.
Deb Newton, a lawyer and Republican, blames President Trump for urging some of his protesters to march on the Capitol grounds in protest of the Electoral College’s vote count.
“It was a clear instigation of sedition. It was shocking,” he said.
Newton said Williams’ letter did not address who should be responsible for the offense.
“Whether you’re a Democrat, a Republican, a libertarian, or an affiliate … all Americans need to give up this activity,” he added.
In the letter to members, Williams said that in order to heal, it is important to turn away attention from what is happening nationwide and focus on Wake County.
