MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

52 arrested for Capitol riot, fuming Internet says same cops held thousands at BLM protests: 'Where's justice?'

The internet is outraged at the mere 52 arrests made at the Capitol in comparison to the overzealous police reaction to peaceful BLM protesters

2020 saw one of the biggest protests in US history with regard to police brutality in the wake of the George Floyd protests, which was, ironically, followed by hundreds of reports of police brutality against peaceful protesters. However, that kind of overzealous police action was reportedly nowhere in sight on January 6, 2021, as a large group of pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol building in Washington — an act that has seen only 52 arrests made so far.

Users on social media are quick to notice just how different police response has been towards Black Lives Matter protesters versus those actively attempting to disrupt democratic proceedings in the Capitol in Washington, as the electoral college votes from the Presidential election were officially being counted. "Why do there seem not have been ANY arrests by DC and Capitol police? Why were these insurgents not met with the same violence by police as BLM protesters? Where is the justice?!" wrote one Twitter user. "There were 14,000+ arrests at the George Floyd protests. Only 13 arrests today so far today in DC for seditionists who stormed the US Capitol. See the difference?" wrote this Twitter user, when initially only 13 arrests were reported to have been made.

Officials had indeed arrested more than 14,000 people across 49 cities nationwide since May 27, according to a Washington Post tally of data provided by police departments and included in media reports. Thousands were arrested for low-level offenses, including curfew violations and failure to disperse.

Many are questioning how these protesters were allowed to even get as far as they did in the first place, considering the national response to BLM protests earlier in 2020. "THEY LITERALLY JUST LET THEM THROUGH," wrote an outraged user, sharing a video of police stepping away from barricades as rioters swarmed up the steps towards the Capitol. "Armed “Proud Boys” committing treason by storming the capitol with a flag that signifies racism. No lethal police response. Unarmed BLM protestors. Rubber bullets, tear gas, arrests, and murder. Makes sense," wrote another user. "Keep your eyes on the small number of arrests with these fascist scumbags in DC then compare your notes to what happened on -just the first night- of the BLM protests against the killing of George Floyd. Also keep in mind the amount of National Guard presence then vs now," wrote a third.