Kamala Harris spoke at the Ellipse near the White House, the same spot where Donald Trump urged his supporters to “fight like hell” on Jan. 6, 2021. Officer Daniel Hodges, who fought off the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol that day, was on duty for both events and found Harris’ rally to be a different and more positive experience. Hodges, who was crushed inside the lower west tunnel on Jan. 6, praised Harris for hosting the rally at the same spot to contrast with the events of that day. Harris referenced the officers injured in the attack during her speech and was supported by Craig Sicknick, the brother of a Capitol Police officer who died following the attack. Sicknick’s brother spoke against Trump’s politics of chaos and hate, calling for Harris to be chosen as the next president. Former U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who was assaulted during the attack and retired afterward, was emotional at the rally and hopes that the sacrifices made on Jan. 6 were not in vain. Gonell praised Harris’ positive speech, emphasizing the need to reject political violence and hold Trump accountable for his role in the events of that day. Overall, the rally was seen as a hopeful and positive event by those who attended, with a focus on moving forward and rejecting the divisive politics of the past.
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