It’s been almost two weeks since the Capitol was besieged by insurrectionists. Over the last two weeks more information is coming out about the terrorist attack, particularly about the people who were involved. There is growing evidence that several Congress people helped the traitors storm the Capitol by providing them tours and maps the day before. Several of the participants were off-duty law enforcement and veterans and they left a big mess for those having to clean up behind them.
Navy veteran David Smith founded
On his commute home to Germantown, Md., Smith spotted remnants of Wednesday’s riot strewn around the streets. Trash littered Pennsylvania Avenue and adjacent areas, and signs and stickers with racist and fascist symbols and messages were “all over the place,” he recalled.
Smith decided he wanted to do something about it, calling on a group of fellow veterans and volunteers to do a thorough sweep of the area around the Capitol and downtown D.C. Beyond ridding the area of hateful markings, Smith hoped to reinforce that the veterans who participated in the siege do not represent them all.
On Jan. 10, close to 200 volunteers congregated at McPherson Square, trash bags in hand. They fanned out and spent two hours collecting “Stop the Steal” and other pro-Trump paraphernalia that had been littered during the riots, and also used scrapers and adhesive remover to peel off signs and stickers featuring logos and symbols from various neo-Nazi and alt-right groups.
Volunteers divided into five groups, each led by a veteran, who guided them along a mapped route to the Capitol.
“It was like a massive street sweep,” said Smith. “We left no stone unturned. It was amazing.”
Smith arranged the cleanup operation on social media through an organization he started in June called Continue to Serve. His goal is to create a community of veterans who stand up for justice and equality.
I was absolutely livid when the information was coming out that several of the treasonous assholes were veterans. As a military person and then a veteran you take a vow to uphold the Constitution. To protect it and the American people you are supposed to serve. Any veteran worth his or her salt saw the storming of the Capitol as a terrorist attack and was appalled. The fact that some of the participants of the siege were from the veteran community made that day even more egregious. In my opinion, those who were in law enforcement and who were veterans part of this who took part in this horrible day in history should be levied with the biggest charges because they KNEW better. The veterans particularly should be at the very least charged with treason even though they are no longer serving. We won’t even discuss how the insurrectionists were treated by law enforcement and how frigging entitled they were.
I am grateful for veterans like David and those who volunteered to clean up the streets after the riot. Because I was honestly triggered when I saw NJ Rep Andy Kim along with Black housekeeping staff at the Capitol cleaning up after white supremacists. Inauguration Day can’t come fast enough. The anxiety around the safety of Kamala and Joe are at an all time high. I want the inauguration to go off without a hitch while I watch Trump, his wife, and co-conspirators escorted off the grounds into waiting federal vehicles. They all must answer for not only the last four years but for Jan 6. With that being said, I am going to look into Continue to Serve because I love that it is a community of veterans who are standing up for social justice and equality. This sort of activism makes me very hopeful and excited for the future. I also need to get my hands on one of those “Veterans for BLM” sweatshirts.
There are a lot of things that must be healed in the U.S. But first there must be accountability and justice, and truth must be spoken about the history of this nation. The history of the United States is very present and it was on full display on January 6. And we all witnessed how very destructive not dealing with old wounds can be.
As a veteran, Continue to Serve is my new favorite charity. Where do I give and buy one of those shirts?
You never betray your oath, even after you are discharged, and those treasonous scum who did? Recall them back to active duty and courtmartial them. If they are disabled vets like me? Strip them of their pension. They don’t deserve it.
IKR?! I have tried to track down the tshirts but they don’t have them for sale on their website. ou may have to reach out to them. here : https://www.continuetoserve.vet/
Oya, thanks for giving us this information. I just signed up to donate monthly. It gives me hope.
It would be marvelous if there was a similar police organization committed to BLM and speaking out about embedded white supremacists in law enforcement.
I’m not sure how many people know that a WV legislator (Derrick Evans) was involved in the insurrection. The following day, I emailed every member of the WV House of Delegates, explaining how it felt to know a representative from our state, who had so recently sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, had participated in an attack on the Capitol. Several delegates responded, stating they were dedicated to ensuring he would be expelled. The only delegate who replied in support of Evans was a retired Major. In his reply, he went on and on about the oath he swore to serve and protect his country WHILE DEFENDING a man who participated in an attack on the very foundation of that country. it was utterly appalling and completely disheartening to see the ways in which someone could pervert their oath.
All this to say, thank you for your service. It’s good to see veterans coming together in this way to continue to fulfill their oath to serve and protect the United States.
That is incredibly awful. I’m sorry your representatives are such utter crap.
I did see that guy resigned, but not until after he was perp walked out of his grandma’s house.
Derrick Evan’s side gig has been harassing women at an abortion clinic, also a black/gay state lawmaker, who he doesn’t believe “belongs”. Taking videos of these people and posting them on Facebook like he did at the Capitol is his typical operation. He really is scum. Good for you for speaking out.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/01/16/derrick-evans-abortion-clinic/
What a heart warming story. And look, they are all being responsible and wearing masks.
This brings a tear to my eye, just like the images of Rep Kim cleaning up the Capitol building. The amount of hate that Trumpers carry is breathtaking, just exhausting to contemplate.
As the Rev Martin Luther King, Jr said, which clearly not nearly enough people have heard: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
This was a great story; was glad to see it prominently on the WP online front page, and happy to see you cover it.
Another story – Nancy Pelosi was out on Saturday with World Central Kitchen, handing out free meals to National Guard and other first responders. They and other DC businesses are working to support the influx there for the Inauguration. Dog Tag Bakery, which helps support veterans and their families through their education programs, donated thousands of cookies.
WCK continues to be one of my favorite charities to support. Free meals to those in need or doing good things in the community, and using and boosting local restaurants which have been struggling.
I just contributed to Continue to Serve too, what an amazing group of people.
I also like Team Rubicon, veterans who provide relief services after natural disasters and other crises. They’ve been working in the US during the pandemic. I think Harry volunteered with one of their missions some years back – Nepal?
Another couple of Congressmen were out with WCK yesterday. Initially WCK had approached Congressional leaders to ask if their assistance was needed. And according to their Twitter, they’re also handing out meals to homeless in the area; because of the lockdown situation, the normal organizations that would serve those people are having trouble with access.
This is an amazing group of people and I am so glad you told us about them. I hope to support this charity as well. What a wonderful thing to do to help heal this country.
I love the banner on that truck. Apparently the driver tooled around DC streets for hours after Trump lost.
We were lucky to live close to DC for several years when our kids were school age. We visited many times during the Obama years and have wonderful memories. It’s such a great place to visit. When all of this has calmed down, please visit. And buy a tourist newspaper for $1 from a homeless person. There’s a charity that prints them so they have a way to make money. Keep up the hard work, Continue to Serve, much love from a lifetime military family.
Looked at their instagram. They did a great article on the Proud Boys and why they are scum: https://www.continuetoserve.vet/post/the-proud-boys-and-their-cowardice
David Smith and this group of veterans are heroes in my book. They understand that real service is not about the the kind of uniform you wear. It’s about your willingness to do the work to make your country a better place.
It’s so amazing that you’re a veteran and can give us that perspective! And yeah, it was disappointing to hear of the vets participating in the insurrection. Thank gosh that the vast majority remain true patriots. I do wish more funds would be allocated to providing mental health support to those returning from combat. Hopefully with Dr. Biden back in the White House, she will continue her work with military families.
Thank you for covering this story! So important that we be able to see the bright inspiring spots in the midst of all the awfulness.
A lot of vets took to social media to defend Kaepernick too. Even those that didn’t necessarily agree they said it was his first amendment right to protest. And it was a former nfl player who was also a vet who had the meeting with him when he was first sitting during the anthem and convinced him to take the knee instead.
My hubby was brought to tears sometimes by having Trump as his commander in chief. Finally, as soon as his commitment to a new assignment (2 years) was up, he put in his retirement papers after almost 28 years. He could’ve stayed another 2 and that was what he’d wanted to do. He won’t even display his retirement certificate since it had Trump’s signature. I want to hang it because he freaking earned it so I’m going to cover up the signature. Trump was underwater in support from the officer corps (hubby was a Lt Colonel) long before his term ended. You could see it too in the former generals and admirals who broke the long standing military tradition (they’re always subject to recall to active duty) and slammed him. It may not have seemed a big deal but it was huge in the military community.
Courtney, thank you to your husband for his years of service. I’m guessing servicemen and their families have to put up with a lot of preconceived notions about their politics and who they are. Maybe you could petition Biden to issue him a new copy of his retirement papers! That is one petition I would happily sign my name to. And thanks to the other veteran’s families who have posted on here, because when one member serves, seems like the whole family does.
If you want to find their merch, it’s seems a little hard to find on mobile at least but it’s under their donate tab on the menu.
I need to get some of their shirts for husband (23 year vet) and I.
Thank you for giving this organization some exposure! I’m reading more and they sound great.