ICYMI: Officer Michael Fanone and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell discuss January 6th, defending democracy on All in with Chris Hayes
WASHINGTON, D.C — On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Courage for America council members Officer Michael Fanone and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, both of whom were severely injured defending the Capitol on January 6th, joined MSNBC’s All In With Chris Hayes to discuss the importance of defending democracy and combating the Big Lie regarding the 2020 election and January 6, 2021. This comes less than 100 days until January 6, 2025, when Congress will be tasked with certifying the results of the 2024 presidential election. Officer Fanone, Sergeant Gonell, and Courage for America have sent two letters to Congress calling on members to commit to a peaceful certification of the 2024 election results.
Officer Michael Fanone on MSNBC’s All in with Chris Hayes:
“When I went to the Capitol on January 6th, the furthest thing from my mind was protecting democracy. I went to the Capitol to support my fellow officers who were screaming distress calls over the radio because they were being assaulted by Donald Trump’s supporters. In the aftermath of January 6th, obviously, I’ve come to understand much better what our democracy is, what it takes to sustain it, and I think many Americans have been educated in the aftermath of January 6th about how fragile democracy is…Democracy is something that each generation is going to have to ante up and kick in, and I think this moment is our generation’s moment in which we now recognize this threat…”
Sergeant Aquilino Gonell on MSNBC’s All in with Chris Hayes:
“It’s up to all of us, the voters, to repudiate that type of violent behavior from anybody, any candidate, and we should do everything possible…to spread the word that this political rhetoric should not be accepted.”
To view the full interview, click HERE.
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About Courage for America
Courage for America is a campaign advised by a council of proud Americans speaking out against an extreme MAGA agenda that puts money and power over the rights and freedoms of the American people. The campaign is amplifying the voices of Americans in communities across the country — veterans, educators, faith leaders, and more — to demand the People’s House works for the people. courageforamerica.org