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Capitol riots: Fire extinguisher thrown at police officer

This footage captures a moment where protesters break policelines on the west side of the U.S. Capitol, en route to storming the building.

Staff Video, USA TODAY

It hasbeen almost one year since a mob supportingnow-former President Donald Trump fueled by baseless voter fraud claims stormed the U.S. Capitolon Jan. 6 in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

The attack led to deaths, injuries andmore than700 arrests, and it temporarily halted Congress' certification of President Joe Bidens Electoral College win. In the following months, a flurry of falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the riot were promoted online, where debunked claimscontinue to circulate.

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With the first anniversary of the Capitol riot approaching, heres a roundup of USA TODAYs fact checksrelating to theinsurrection that touch on election misinformation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's role in the attack, misleading images and videos, claims about politicians, comparisons to past demonstrations and even false claims that reports predicted the attack.

Capitol rioters charged in the Jan. 6 attack have cited the baseless narrative that the 2020 presidential election was stolen by Democrats.The myth waspromoted by Trump, his closest allies and conservative media personalities, all of whom relied on false claimsabout election technology, vote counting, mail-in ballots and voter turnout.

Biden legally won the presidential race by more than 7 million votes, and his victory was certified by the Electoral College. Hand recounts and independent audits across the country did not change the election's outcome and failed to turn upany evidence of widespread wrongdoing by poll workers or voters.But that still didnt stop people from claiming otherwise.

The claim: Joe Biden did not legally win the presidential election

Our rating: False

Biden received 81 million votes and Trump received74 million votes. A candidate must secure 270 electoral votes to be elected, and Biden won 306 votes to Trumps 232. There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Bidens favor, and courts have dismissed dozens of lawsuits in battleground states challenging the election results. Read more

The claim: Dominion Voting Systems deleted votes for Trump, switched votes to Biden

Our rating: False

There is no evidence Dominion, a private company supplying voting systems in 28 states, deleted or changed votes in the 2020 election, according to a national coalition and election law experts. A few counties experienced minor technology issues on Election Day, but the errors did not affect the vote counts. Read more

The claim: Several key states had more ballots cast than registered voters

Our rating: False

Data and individual state reporting reviewed by USA TODAY shows no state in the U.S. had more than 100% voter turnout in the 2020 election. Posts claiming differently are using improper data sets or flawed data analysis techniques. Read more

The claim: Nevada's presidential election included duplicate voting, dead voters, fake addresses, noncitizens voting andout of state voters

Our rating: False

Claims about widespread voter fraud in Nevada's 2020 election stem from a failed lawsuit, and a district court concluded that no illegal votes were cast and counted. Biden won Nevada's six electoral votes. Read more.

The claim: An audit 'conclusively shows'voter fraud affected Arizona's election outcome

Our rating: False

An audit of Arizona's 2020 election results conducted by cybersecurity firm Cyber Ninjas did not surface any evidence of widespread voter fraud that changed the election's outcome. The review, along with other handrecounts,confirmed Biden won Maricopa County. Read more.

The claim: An investigation found more 'illegal votes'cast in Wisconsin in 2020 than Joe Biden's margin of victory

Our rating: False

A report from the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty investigating the integrity of the 2020 election found no evidence of widespread fraud, and the group's findings were misstated online. A hand recount, audit and lawsuits confirmed Biden's victory in Wisconsin. Read more.

Here are more fact-checksanalyzingwhats true and false about the 2020 electionand voting by mail.

Just hours after rioters breached the Capitol, misinformation about what happened spread rapidly on social media, and a false narrative blaming anti-fascist activists for inciting the violence made its way to the House floor that same evening. Many such claims circulated throughout 2021.

The claim: A facial recognition firm claimed Antifa infiltrated pro-Trump rioters at the Capitol

Our rating: False

Claims that members of Antifa disguised as Trump supporters orchestrated the insurrection are baseless and stem from a rumor that a facial recognition company identified left-wing activistsamong the rioters. The technology firm mentioned in the claims refuted the story, and there is no evidence Antifa was responsible for the attack. Read more

The claim: The shirtless man pictured in the Capitol breach is with Antifa and Black Lives Matter

Our rating: False

Jake Angeli, a man who was pictured at the Capitol shirtless wearing a fur hat with horns, is a well-known Trump and QAnon supporter he is not tied to Black Lives Matter or Antifa. The claim is part of the false larger conspiracytheory that Trumps supporters were not actually behind the riot. Read more

The claim: A "known Antifa member"was paid $70,000 for his video of the riot

Our rating: Partly false

News outlets paid Utah activist John Sullivan roughly $90,000 for video footage he captured during the Capitol riot, but he is not linked to any anti-fascist groups and has denied being associated with the movement. Read more

The claim: FBI operatives organized the attack on the U.S. Capitol

Our rating: False

Theres no evidence unindicted co-conspirators listed in federal charging documents related to the Jan. 6 attack are undercover FBI agents or federal informants. Legal experts say the term cant be used to describe undercover government operatives. Rioters have been identified by authorities as Trump supporters, conspiracy theorists and members of far-right groups. Read more

The claim: CNN employees took part in the riot

Our rating: False

Posts claiming CNN employees were among the Capitol rioters are unfounded. Jade Sacker, mentioned in the claims, is a freelance journalist and has never worked for the cable news outlet. Read more

The claim: A man died froma heart attack after accidentallyusinga stun gun on himself at the Capitol riot

Our rating: False

Kevin Greeson of Alabama died on the Capitol grounds after a heart attack, and his wife told USA TODAY he had a history of high blood pressure. He did not accidentally stun himself.Read more

The claim: The FBI told a Senate committee that the FBI did not recover any guns at the riot

Our rating: Missing context

Jill Sanborn, assistant director of the FBIs counterterrorism division,said the FBI did not recover any firearms at the Capitol riot. But she also noted that she cannot speak for other law enforcement agencies. The Department of Justicecharged rioters with bringing firearms to the Capitol grounds. Read more

Social media users have triedto shift blame by spreading false claims aboutPelosi in the wake of the Capitol attack.

The claim: Pelosi rejected Trump's request for 10,000 National Guard troops to be deployed before Jan. 6

Our rating: False

Trumps claim that Pelosi blocked his formal request for 10,000 National Guard troops ahead of the "Stop the Steal" rally isfalse. The Pentagon said there is no record of the request, and Pelosis office said she was not contacted about deploying the National Guard. Testimony and a Department of Defense memo about Jan. 6 also confirms that. Read more

The claim: Nancy Pelosi was in charge of Capitol Police on Jan. 6

Our rating: False

Pelosi was not in charge of the Capitol Police at the time of the riot. The agency is overseen by the Capitol Police Board, which is made up of the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms and the Capitol architect. Read more.

Pelosi: 'Never forgive' Trump, lackeys for Jan. 6

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday she would "never forgive" former President Trump and "his lackeys and his bullies that he sent to the Capitol for the trauma" that was exerted to staff during the Jan. 6 riot. (Dec. 8)

AP

The claim: Nancy Pelosi refuses to take responsibility for causing the insurrection

Our rating: False

In short, Pelosi wasn't responsible. Capitol Police told USA TODAY that committees from the House and Senate and a Capitol Police Board are responsible for overseeing operations, not Pelosi. Read more

The claim: Pelosi won't let Capitol Police testify about what happened on Jan. 6

Our rating: False

The claim that Pelosi is blocking testimonyis a reversal of what actually happened. Republican lawmakers tried to stop a hearing from taking place, while Democrats pushed for one. Read more

The claim: Special forcestook Nancy Pelosi's laptop during the riot

Our rating: False

A laptop belonging to the House speaker's office was stolen by pro-Trump rioters, not special forces. Read more

Photos and videosof the Capitol riot went viral online. But in many cases, the footage was doctored, outdated or unrelated to Jan. 6.

The claim: Police officer is the man who carrieda Confederate flag during the Capitol riot

Our rating: False

An image purporting to show a police officer carrying a Confederate flag during the attack is false. The man in the photo was identified by the FBI as Kevin Seefried, who was charged in connection with the riot. He is not a police officer.

The claim: Capitol workers threw away an American flag as they prepared for the transition of power

Our rating: Missing context

Capitol employees did not throw out an American flag in preparation for Bidens inauguration. The photo was captured in the aftermath of the riot. Read more

The claim: Video shows Trump family celebrating the riot from a nearby tent

Our rating: False

Days after the riot, a video went viral purporting to show the Trump family celebrating amid the attack. But monitors seen in the clip as well asa timeline of the events on Jan. 6 prove the video was captured before Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol.Read more

The claim: Chuck Norris was at the Capitol riot

Our rating: False

Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris did not take part in the riot. His manager told USA TODAY he was on his ranchin Texas on Jan. 6 and confirmed that a photo on social media of a man resembling Norrisis not actually him. Read more

The claim: Images show pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., in January

Our rating: False

Photos of crowds at the 2018 March for Our Lives rally and 2017 Womens March were passed off on social media as pro-Trump demonstrations on Jan. 6. Read more

The claim: Image shows a caravan of Trump supporters traveling to Washington

Our rating: False

A photo purporting to show dozens of vehicles heading to Washington to protest the presidential election results on Jan. 6 was actually taken in San Francisco at a pro-Trump truck rally inOctober 2020. Read more

The claim: A viral video shows a man screaming about being placed on the no-fly listbecause of the riot at the Capitol

Our rating: False

A video shows a man being asked to leave an American Airlines flight for a mask violation, not for being placed on the no-fly list because of the Capitol riot. Read more

The claim: Demonstrators erected a cross in front of the Capitol

Our rating: Missing context

A photo showspro-Trump demonstrators erected a cross in front of the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, not in Washington.Read more

The claim: The insurrection was an event hosted by the Stanford Federalist Society

Our rating: Satire

An image of an event flyer claiming the Capitol riot took place during astudent-run Stanford Federalist Society meeting with guest speakers Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is fake. Read more

A number of hoaxes concerning the whereabouts of politicians during the Capitol riot and their responses circulated online afterthe insurrection.

The claim:Acting Pardon Attorney Rosalind Sargent-Burns said Trump was "strongly considering"pardoning Capitol rioters

Our rating: False

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Fact check roundup: Debunking false narratives about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot - USA TODAY

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

GoLocalProv News Team

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RI State Rep. Patricia Morgan. PHOTO: GoLocal File

On Tuesday, Morgan Tweeted the following:

I had a black friend. I liked her and I think she liked me, too. But now she is hostile and unpleasant. I am sure I didn't do anything to her, except be white. Is that what teachers and our political leaders really want for our society? Divide us because of our skin color? #CRT

BLM RI PAC called the Tweet racist and called on House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi to take action to remove Morgan from the committees.

SEE TWEET BELOW

If Representative Patricia Morgan truly believed we shouldnt be divided by our skin color, she wouldnt have made this divisive of a comment, along with the many other similar comments she has made in the past, said BLM RI PAC in a statement, adding that the comment was offensive and deeply insulting to the Black and Brown community.

BLM RI PAC Executive Director Harrison Tuttle is running for the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2022.

The PAC continued with the following:

Not to mention the piece of legislation she introduced, that if passed, would ban Critical Race Theory in Rhode Island classrooms. Rhode Island should no longer tolerate ideologies, by any political party, that are hateful and divisivein the media, in policy proposals, and in our everyday lives. We are disappointed to see elected officials who say they are progressive seek compromise with people who make comments like these.

Condemnation in the media will no longer do. BLM RI PAC is calling for Representative Patricia Morgans immediate removal by Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi from the following committeesHouse Environment and Natural Resources Committee, House Health and Human Services Committee, House Labor Committee, and the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee. Anything less than these substantive actions is another tacit acceptance of racism from the General Assembly that can no longer be tolerated.

Neither Morgan nor Shekarchi responded to request for comment at time of publication.

House Minority Leader Blake Filippi also did not respond to request for comment.

Excerpt from:
NEW: RI GOP Rep Morgan's Comments Racist, Says Black Lives Matter PAC - GoLocalProv

December is drawing to a close, ending another strange year in Taunton history. It was a time of political and social struggle, a time of tragedy and possibility, of endings and new beginnings. This was the second year of the COVID pandemic that still has the world in its grip, casting a specter over every aspect of life in the city. And yet there were some positive developments too.

We looked back at the past 12 months of Gazette stories and came up with a list of 10 of the most important issues and stories that affect us all. Lets look at them all briefly and wed like you to choose which are the top three stories of 2021. Vote using our form at the bottom of the story.

Perhaps the most touching article of the year is the story of a radiant little girl who loved life so much she crawled when she could no longer walk and never, never stopped dancing. Taunton Police Officer Jeremy Derosier and his wife, Jamie, lost their 6-year-old daughter Aubriella to mitochondrial disease, only a few years after they lost their son to the same illness. They held a fairy-tale wedding for Aubriella before her passing.

Tragedy strikes: Taunton cop walks 6-year-old daughter down the aisle before she loses battle with illness

After years of lingering decline, the Silver City Galleria mall finally closed and was demolished, another victim of the retail apocalypse. The two-story mall had opened its doors in 1992, and by 2021 the front door was the only part still standing from the 1.1 million square-foot building. The site was sold in the summer, and could see industrial development.

Saying goodbye to the Galleria: How many times have you walked through this door? Taunton Galleria entrance last to go

Taunton has taken the scenic route on the road to the recreational marijuana industry. Would-be marijuana business owners have long had complaints about delays, made allegations of unfairness, and faced cease-and-desist orders. Its only after two years of red tape that the citys first recreational pot shop has opened its doors.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em: Taunton's first recreational retail pot shop is open here's what the first day was like

Reckless riding of dirt bikes and ATVs on public roads has been considered a continuing nuisance in Taunton. After years of complaints, the city government created a new ordinance governing the use of these recreational vehicles, and what the city can do to those who violate the law. But some ATV riders said they have a side to the story too.

'Zero tolerance': Here are Taunton's new rules on reckless ATV driving

The COVID-19 pandemic rolled along in its second year, but people were armed with a new weapon in the fight against the highly contagious illness: three new vaccines were developed. Initially rationed to give first-dibs to those at highest risk, eventually vaccines were authorized for everyone ages 5 and older. Early shortages of vaccines have given way to public clinics, like the VaxBus, and doses available at most pharmacies and clinics. But while COVID cases dipped in the spring and summer, new variants have emerged and new cases are soaring once again.

Take your shot: Taunton lags behind Mass. in vaccinating kids against COVID; here's how to get the vaccine

The local real estate market exploded in 2021, with home prices soaring the average home price in 2018 is what the least-expensive houses are selling for now. We've been keeping an eye on the latest moves in the real estate market in our weekly updates. And while this trend has been great for sellers, its been difficult for homebuyers to find new digs.

'It was horrible': Taunton homebuyers struggle in seller's market

An off-duty Taunton police sergeant was charged with seriously injuring a motorcycle rider while driving drunk. Shawn Smith of Raynham, with 21 years on the force, was arrested in the off-duty incident. Heallegedly sideswiped motorcyclist George Haskell, 52, who faced serious injuries and underwent multiple surgeries during his over seven weeks in the hospital. Smith said he would retirefrom the force, and his case is pending.

OUI incident: Longtime Taunton cop to retire after alleged drunk driving crash with motorcyclist

A homophobic piece of hate-mail received by the town of Dighton sparked a debate in town over whether the gay pride flag should fly at town hall a debate that lasted for months, with a local election hinging on it. In the end, Dighton Town Meeting ended up shutting down the debate definitively, by passing a restrictive flag bylaw after a four-hour meeting. Taunton got in on the gay pride flag debate as well, with Mayor Shaunna OConnell opting not to fly the rainbow banner over city hall, sparking a small gay pride rally in protest.

Gay pride flag ban: Dighton Town Meeting bans flying LGBTQ and other flags on town property

The political divide was wide on other issues, as well. A mural at Taunton High School depicting the thin blue line drew complaints. Supporters called the flag a tribute to fallen police officers and a sign of support, while detractors noted that the flag has been flown in opposition to Black Lives Matter protests and has been used at white supremacist rallies. On Taunton Green, supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and those holding Blue Lives Matter flags had dueling but peaceful rallies. In the end, the school replaced the mural with an American flag and a quote from a black soldier.

Dueling rallies: Taunton BLM and thin blue line supporters face off during peaceful but heated rallies

A year after the closing of Coyle & Cassidy, the old school got new life, as Bristol Community College opened its Taunton Center in the building. Bristol had been leasing space inside the Silver City Galleria, but the new space gives the community college access to features that werent available in the mall space.

Peek inside: Here's a look inside Bristol Community College's new Taunton Center at Coyle & Cassidy

Use this form below to cast your vote for first, second, and third place.

Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

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What was Greater Taunton's biggest story of 2021? Use this form to cast your vote - Taunton Daily Gazette

SARATOGA SPRINGS Black Lives Matter activists and their supporters told the departing city council members just how little they would miss them during Tuesday nights meeting.

Mayor Meg Kelly and commissioners John Franck, Michele Madigan and Robin Dalton are in their final daysas they yield to newly-elected Democrats.

The activists criticism was directed at Kelly, Madigan and Dalton.

The meeting got off to a hostile start when BLM supporter Angela Kaufman tried to present the mayor with a container of cockroaches.

I was at the pet store the other day buying gifts for my boys when I found the perfect gift for a mayor who appears to not be able to tell the difference between activists and cockroaches, Kaufmantold Kelly, who didnt accept the gift.

BLM activist Samira Sangare of Clifton Park read a timeline of activists interactions with local police for which she said the council provided no accountability.

It began with a July 30 protest during which activists were met by state police, sheriffs deputies and city police in riot gear, along with a military vehicle, she said. Pepper bullets were shot at the activists.

June 28, 2021, Sangare said. [Assistant Police Chief John] Cantone and Robbins sat side by side, fear-mongering, and blamed us for fights on Caroline Street.

During the council meeting that followed those events, Sangare said, Kelly threatened to have the group arrested for being disagreeable during the meeting.

At one point, Madigan told the speaker that the activists should have accepted her invitation to meet.

You never cared about us. You never cared about the community, Sangare replied. You never cared about Darryl Mount.

Activists have been protesting on behalf of Mount, a biracial man who was pursued by police in 2013 for an alleged domestic dispute. Authorities say Mount fell from scaffoldingduring the incident.He eventually died in 2014, afternine months in a coma. Protesters contend police beat him to his death.

Referencing the state Attorney Generals office investigation of city police to assess whether protesters were targeted with excessive force and retaliatory arrests Sangare told the councilors, I cant wait for all the lawsuits that come your way.

Madigan, when referencing incoming Democratic officials, expressed with apparent sarcasm her relief that the new city council members would diversify city staffing through their appointments. She indicated that it would soon be revealed that the incoming council members hadnt chosen a diverse group of staffers.

At one point during the meeting, in an attempt to demonstrate that the activists shouldnt be treated like crap, BLM activist Lexis Figuereo revealed that his sister is a caretaker for the mayors sister.

Kelly, who said her sister is disabled, said she didnt appreciate Figuereo bringing that up, asserting, You have a hell of a nerve. She added, Thats the lowest blow that you can give anybody.

The mother of Figuereos two young children, Gabrielle C. Elliott, also played a recording of her interaction with police on Sept. 7. Elliott was arrested outside of the police station on charges of attempted assault, resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child. She was present that day to support her husband, who faced warrant charges from a previous protest.

The charges against Elliott were recently adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, but Elliott said she was still angered by the councils lack of accountability for the police separating her from her 6-year-old son and then-1-year-old daughter.

Your lies, your manipulation, have resulted in more trauma on all of us more than you will ever realize, Elliott said.

Shewent on to tell the departing council members not to let the door hit your a on the way out.

Figuereo then brought up that Madigans 18-year-old son had been arrested for an alleged assault and robbery earlier this year.

I havent heard much about her son in the news, the activist cracked. Im pretty sure hes facing a felony.

Madigansaid to the activist, Dont bring up my family.

Figuereo, a local bartender, asserted that he knows Madigan from frequenting the cocktail lounge.

An emotional Madigan replied, You people are abusive.

Dalton, reflecting on what she also said was abuse, told a reporter that she wouldnt advise anyone she cared about to run for the city council here.

Contact reporter Brian Lee at [emailprotected] or 518-419-9766.

Categories: News, Saratoga County

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BLM activists confront outgoing Saratoga Springs officials once more at meeting Tuesday The Daily Gazette - The Daily Gazette

Louie French, who won the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election earlier this month, believes taking the knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement had "lost its strength" but stressed he still strongly supported those who wished to carry out the gesture.

Mr French explained: I wouldnt personally look to be taking the knee.

I respect the peoples right to campaign or protest, things that people feel strongly about.

He added how he was very proud to support the England Football team, who have adopted the gesture, in order to tackle racism at home and overseas, especially when they come face to face with it at matches.

The Conservative MP said that racism anywhere was completely unacceptable in this day and age.

JUST INAshley Banjo opens up on negative comments he still receives from Diversity performance

But he claimed the gesture was a bit showbizzy now suggesting that taking the knee had lost its strength.

Asked whether he thought his comments would provoke upset in his constituency among those from BAME backgrounds, he disagreed.

He said: I have got an excellent relationship with people in all different community groups.

This is something that happens on the football pitch - I am not a footballer, I am here in Westminster.

READ MORE'Use brown belt Tory by-election candidate puts foot down to defend UK's green spaces

The England Football team adopted taking the knee before their Euro 2020 matches.

The gesture is now repeated before Premier League games.

Players vowed to continue the gesture through the 2021/2022 season.

In a statement in August, Premier League players said: "We feel now, more than ever, it is important for us to continue to take the knee as a symbol of our unity against all forms of racism."

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'Lost its strength' Conservative MP says he wouldn't 'take the knee' as it is 'showbizzy' - Daily Express