Protest in Sierra Vista marks five years since the January 6 insurrection

On Tuesday, an anti-Trump protest took place at Veterans Memorial Park in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Locals came together to mark five years since the January 6 Insurrection. Community members showed up to say they are refusing to let history be rewritten.

Demonstrator holding a sign that says "SAVE THE U.S.A" in Sierra Vista, Arizona

For Sierra Vista protestors, the truth and realities of what happened are the priority. As a brief reminder, on January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., was attacked by a mob of Republican President Donald J. Trump supporters. This happened during a joint session of Congress, as they were certifying the electoral votes of the 2020 presidential election.

A symbolic and necessary process for our democracy.

During a rally near the White House, President Trump encouraged the crowd to “peacefully” march to the Capitol building, while also telling them to “fight like hell.”

What followed turned violent. A mass of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, forcing their way into the building and disrupting the certification of the 2020 presidential election. In the aftermath of the attack, five people, including a police officer, lost their lives in connection with the events of that day.

Eventually, President Donald Trump was indicted on four felony charges related to his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the events of January 6. However, the case was later dismissed in November 2024, after he won and was re-elected during the presidential election.

Five years later, the official White House website has rewritten what happened on January 6, 2021. The website refers to the mob as “peaceful patriotic protesters” and claims the violence was instigated by law enforcement and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“What happened on January 6, 2021, was an insurrection and should never happen again. We should all be aware that it was an insurrection. We should never forget that our country was almost taken over by a bunch of people who have fake beliefs in a person who is a felon and lies,” said Nicki Velasquez, who attended the protest.

Sign held up during a protest in Sierra Vista, AZ. Brian Sicknick was a police officer who died after being assaulted by rioters while defending the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Among the demonstrators was a man named Fred, who comes from a long line of military families.

“I love my country, and I believe in our constitution and freedom. I believe that what’s going on is a travesty. We’ve got to do something about it. If we don’t get out in mass numbers, we’re gonna lose our country, if it’s not too late already,” Fred said.

Lanae Celilo, another Sierra Vista resident, shared her reason for being at the protest.

“It’s the simplest duty I can perform. It’s important for others in the community to know that they’re not alone in their viewpoints and beliefs,” said Celilo.

Sign that reads "JAN 6TH – NEVER AGAIN WE STAND FOR DEMOCRACY & PEACEFUL PROTESTS"

According to a Facebook livestream from Coolfmlive, about 80 people participated in Tuesday’s protest.