Witnesses have reported the shocking sight of individuals assembling the infamous gallows and noose on the west front of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Surveillance footage obtained by authorities reveals the audacity of the operation to construct the gallows and noose, symbols with a long history of racist and threatening connotations. On that fateful day, then-Vice President Mike Pence was overseeing the joint session of Congress to finalize the Electoral College count. Despite immense pressure from former President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election results, Pence stood firm in upholding the democratic process. Meanwhile, outside the Capitol, a mob of protesters and rioters surrounded the gallows and noose, chanting, "Hang Mike Pence."
The videos capture the brazenness of the group as they transported large wooden beams through the streets in plain view, in the early hours preceding the siege on the Capitol.
As the sun rose over Union Square and Independence Avenue, a group could be seen quietly transporting their materials. These iconic areas near Capitol Hill would later be flooded with thousands of individuals who had gathered at the Capitol following a speech by former President Trump at the Ellipse, just 2 miles away.
The movement of these pieces took place in the early hours of the morning, with the streets deserted and silent. Surveillance camera footage captured the shifting of the wooden beams, documenting every step of their journey near Capitol Hill.
Despite the public outcry sparked by this event, the investigation into the responsible parties remains unresolved.
According to a recent review of the charging documents in the around 1,300 federal criminal cases related to the events of Jan. 6, there is no evidence of any defendant being accused of involvement in the construction of the gallows.
The Significance of a Neon Orange Rope
The gallows featured a neon orange rope, a choice of color that caught the attention of Raymond Winbush, a researcher and professor at Morgan State University. Winbush suggested that the bright and distinctive color may have been intentionally selected as a visual signal to draw attention to the noose.
Reflecting on the events of Jan. 6, Winbush remarked to CBS News, "African Americans cannot witness the events of Jan. 6, 2021, without being reminded of the history of lynching in America. The presence of the gallows, the ropes, and the fervent calls for violence against Mike Pence by the white mob evoked a chilling reminder of this dark past."
Footage obtained by CBS News also captured the display of a large Confederate flag near the Capitol grounds on the morning of Jan. 6, around the same time that another group was reportedly transporting materials for the suspected gallows. Numerous Confederate flags and symbols were visible among the crowd that day.
Following the violent confrontation with law enforcement and the breach of the Capitol building, the gallows was left unattended. Journalist Michael Persson, who was present during the attack, observed that the orange noose had been removed and discarded on the ground.
According to Persson, a young Black man was seen climbing the gallows and cutting down the noose, an act that he believes was carried out by a good Samaritan who was outraged by the display.
Persson mentioned to CBS News that the Samaritan "threw the noose away and ran away, unnoticed by the dispersed crowd. Only small groups remained on the field, but I still found it to be a remarkably courageous act."
After retrieving the rope, Persson handed it over to the FBI. In late 2021, the FBI confirmed that they had received the rope.
Describing the gallows as a symbol of doom, Persson stated, "The gallows represented the doom of that day."
When asked about any ongoing investigation into the construction of the gallows on restricted grounds, a Justice Department spokesman replied, "The Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol is an ongoing investigation; therefore, we cannot discuss anything beyond the public record."
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., responsible for prosecuting Jan. 6 offenders, also chose not to comment.
The gallows construction
Investigation Reveals Gallows at Capitol Riot Erected Hours Before Attack
The subcommittee's review unveiled that the crossbeam and noose were not added to the wood base until 1 p.m., coinciding with the start of the violent mob's assault on police officers.
Adjacent to the gallows, the construction of the inaugural platform for President-elect Joe Biden was in progress on the west front of the Capitol.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, chair of the House subcommittee, expressed concern stating, "The base platform had been in place for hours before the crossbar was added around 1 o'clock, which violates Capitol Police regulations."
Reviewing Capitol Police radio communications from that day, Loudermilk noted that there was no mention of the gallows being assembled.
House Democrats on the subcommittee attributed the presence of the gallows to former President Trump's actions, stating that it would not have been constructed if he had not incited the mob to storm the Capitol.
A Capitol Police spokesman commended the committee for shedding light on the issue, mentioning that the gallows were fortunately not utilized during the attack.
Scientists Discover New Species of Butterfly in the Amazon Rainforest
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified a new species of butterfly in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. The butterfly, named "Morpho amazonia," boasts vibrant blue and green hues that set it apart from other known species in the region.
Researchers believe that the unique coloration of Morpho amazonia serves as a form of camouflage, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with the lush vegetation of the rainforest. This adaptation is crucial for the butterfly's survival in its natural habitat.
The discovery of Morpho amazonia highlights the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest and underscores the importance of conservation efforts in the region. Scientists are hopeful that further research on this newly identified species will provide valuable insights into the ecology and evolution of butterflies in the Amazon.
