97 Comments
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Beth Summer's avatar

Thank you Michael for your courage to keep going everyday and keep fighting the atrocities that happened 5 yrs ago against you, your colleagues and our Capitol. We are truly grateful for your service and I look forward to hearing more from you. Please...don't give up.

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Eric Thompson's avatar

I'm a police officer in Michigan. I'm surprised at how emotional and introspective about my job I feel today. And how alone I feel in that sentiment. In my own department, we'll often get emails from our command staff on days of remembrance thanking us for what we do or encouraging to embrace each other, etc. I don't expect we'll get one today and that makes me angry. Of the many things to be angry about from that January 6th, what makes me angriest is how what happened to you and your coworkers has been swept aside and forgotten.

Michael, please know that you and your coworkers from the Capitol are not forgotten. And, in whatever way I can, it would be an incredible honor to try and fight this fight alongside you and anyone else willing to do so, be it in large or small ways.

To everyone else, if anyone tells you that Trump and the Republicans are pro law enforcement, I've found that reminding them of how Michael and his colleagues have been treated is an effective way of exposing that infuriating bullshit.

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ClaireC's avatar

Thank you for your comment, Eric. I appreciate very much your sharing your own feelings about this tragic day. If you are able, you can contribute to Mike Fanone's cause -- he raises money to tour the country speaking his truth in small communities far and wide. Apparently, every little bit helps.

There is a meeting tonight in Washington where we will honor Mike and his brothers, and I will be there.

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Kathleen Manning's avatar

I would like to see lots of local police departments stand behind the DC and Cspitsl police. The grave indignity is the Republicans claiming law and order. NO. IF YOU CAN NOT CONDEMN Jan 6 you are not st all behind police. These were my beloved DC police.

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Black Power's avatar

Thank you. Consider this: MAGA made Ashli Babbitt (who proved without a doubt it was not peaceful and was intended as a coup) a hero while Officer Sicknik is completely ignored.

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Eric Thompson's avatar

That in and of itself exposed multiple facets of their hypocrisy. Was her shooting justified? Honestly, I'm not sure. But many of the same people that expressed anger over it were the same ones saying that George Floyd, for instance, should've just complied with the police.

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Kathi Kirschner's avatar

Ashli Babbit was shot breaking into the Capitol. She was a veteran & chose to ignore her oath to the Constitution.

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C Heyse's avatar

Thank you for your service. Police are unsung heroes. I appreciate you.

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Sandra Kay's avatar

I'm just one person, but I will march in every protest I can get to. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your commitment to democracy. You are not alone.

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Susie Taylor's avatar

You didn’t deserve what happened to you five years ago and you don’t deserve the rewriting of history happening today. I’m sorry that we collectively betrayed you and every cop who defended democracy that day by voting this man into office again. Thanks for continuing to run towards the danger. I’m going to try to be like you and let my rage turn into resolve. This article is exactly what I needed today.

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Kris's avatar

You are a true hero. Your words light a fire in my soul and bring tears to my eyes. I will continue to fight for our country - as much as retired granny can. Thank you for your courage and your service. We need more Sam Adams!

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MzNicky in East Jesus, TN's avatar

Or Modelos! 🙂 sorry, I couldn’t resist

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MzNicky in East Jesus, TN's avatar

Brilliant essay, Michael. If we as a nation somehow survive this madness, it will be because of indefatigable souls like you. You didn’t choose this path, but it chose you, and your steadfastness and courage in pursuing that path set an example for all of us. Always with you. ❤️🇺🇸

Someday I will buy you that beer. 🍺

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Deborah Petrina's avatar

Well said. ❤

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Wade Baynham's avatar

Thank you, Sir. We are not all sleepwalking through our lives. We are particularly remembering you and your cohort today. We will not forget.

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Lynn's avatar

You and the officers on that day represent the soul of America -you are who we really are - you inspire us to keep up the resistance - we pray for your safety and the rest of the officers and law enforcement who continue the fight to uphold the values of our democracy every single day. Thank you for inspiring us and helping us to keep on keeping on. Godspeed 😇

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Denny Edwards's avatar

It’s amazing how when I ask my rep (raggedy andy ogles) & senator (liar blackburn), whom both claim to support law enforcement officers, why they turned their backs on you guys they won’t answer me and then they block my emails!

Both of these two, as well as all the other garbage leaders here in TN are two faced liars and back stabbers!

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MzNicky in East Jesus, TN's avatar

Man, do I feel your pain. Ogles and Blackburn are among the very WORST in the whole country. My so-called Congressional “rep” (TN-2) is the idiotic menace Tim Burchett. Hard to believe our state once produced actual leaders like Al Gore.

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Denny Edwards's avatar

Agree! And your guy kneels before trump just like the others do!

We understand each others predicament.

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MzNicky in East Jesus, TN's avatar

Tennessee Holler calls him “Pinocchiogles” 😄

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Denny Edwards's avatar

That works too!!

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Kim Sherwood's avatar

I hear ya, Michael, and I am humbled by your essay. Thinking back to the horror of that day and how you and your fellow officers scrambled against all odds to hold the line--even for many in Congress who were in on the insidious plan. But you and your fellow officers were working to live another day in our democracy, and to make sure it lived another day--for all of us. (Or so it seems to me.) Each and every American owes each and every one of you officers a debt of gratitude. You would think, as you said in the beginning of your essay, that we would not be collectively dumb enough to put trump back in the White House. But here we are.

And now, much as I hate to say it, I hope it comes back to bite every person that voted for him a second time a huge bite in the ass. As fucked up as things are, and as fucked up as they're going to get, he's showing them in real time that he never gave a rat's ass of concern for any of them. They were just his tool to stay out of jail and allow unfettered access to money and power. When they wake up, when they realize trump and his zombie sycophant enablers in Congress just screwed them like they've never been screwed, I will feel like some justice is being done. However, I'll also hold my nose and welcome them to our tent, because I believe we're going to need them to help us out of this mess.

Thank you, and your fellow officers, and the many who are fearlessly speaking up. You inspire me and many that I know to do what we can, even as it becomes clear the regime intends to silence us soon enough, through whatever means necessary. Thank you for holding the line now, as you did five years ago today.

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ClaireC's avatar

As always, thank you for your service, your patriotism, and your resilience, Michael. I will be there tonight with others to honor you and your brothers Harry, Danny, and Aquilino.

Remember that we will NEVER forget Jan. 6. Never.

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Fran B.'s avatar

What is this event? I have followed Michael from the beginning and take his small tote bag (which is fabulous, because made of strong material) into stores whenever I shop.

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ClaireC's avatar
2dEdited

Fran, it's an event hosted by Jim Acosta at the National Press. club. You need to have tickets and I think it's sold out. They will be streaming it though. You could check Jim's Substack page if you are looking for tickets possibly

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TWINKLE's avatar

I'm so sorry Michael, that this happened to Capitol police! The lives that were lost is horrific. I stand with everyone of you. Thank you, for your service, and fighting for our Democracy!❤️🇺🇲

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Kristen's avatar

So well written. Brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Michael for never giving up after all you’ve been through. I honestly don’t know how you keep going. I’m so tired if this all. Please know there are many of us who didn’t vote him in!! We feel as desperate as you!!

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Rachel Quinton's avatar

Thank you for your bravery in your actions and your speech.

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The Style Investigator's avatar

Grateful for you and the other J6 heroes, Michael!

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Deborah Petrina's avatar

You are a decent patriot, and I admire your strength, bravery, and resilience. I watched in horror that Jan 6 day five years ago and am disgusted that 77 million people put that convicted, despicable felon back in office. Your words and actions matter to many of us good people; please don’t stop.

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