This complaint is based on a law enacted in 1871 to protect the rights of African Americans after the abolition of slavery in 1865, notably against extremist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.
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January 6th, hundreds of Donald Trump supporters invaded Capitol Hill, where the US Congress is located. The city of Washington filed a complaint on Tuesday, December 14, against the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, two far-right groups, and against thirty of their officials, accused of having “planned, promoted and participated” to this assault. A civil complaint aimed at “to discourage future acts of violence” and to obtain compensation for the wrongs inflicted on the American capital, declared at a press conference its attorney general, Karl Racine.
The city of Washington’s complaint is based on a law enacted in 1871 to protect the rights of African Americans after the abolition of slavery in 1865, notably against extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
According to the complaint, “the January 6 attack was a coordinated act of domestic terrorism” and the city of Washington then found itself obliged “to manage the consequences” of this coup. This notably caused significant medical costs for the police officers of the city injured in the clashes, said Karl Racine, saying he hoped “inflict the greatest possible financial penalty” to the two extremist organizations. “If we could bankrupt them, it would be a great day …”
In February, Congressman Democrat Bennie Thompson had already filed a civil lawsuit against the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, as well as against former President Donald Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani for their role in the attack on the January 6 against the seat of Congress. Corn “this is the first time that a local government” is trying to obtain redress, said Karl Racine.
Most of the individuals named in the complaint are already the subject of federal criminal proceedings and could face trial in the spring.