Mother of Donald Trump fan killed in Capitol riots arrested on anniversary
Micki Witthoeft, the mother of the late Ashli Babbitt, was arrested Friday afternoon while attending a protest on the Capitol grounds.
Witthoeft, 58, was identified by US Capitol Police as one of “a group of protesters illegally blocking traffic” on Independence Avenue, SW, near First Street, SW.
“A woman in the group received multiple warnings to get off the road,” Capitol Police said. “Instead of walking off the street, the woman refused to leave, turned around with her hands behind her back and asked to be arrested.”
Witthöft was handcuffed around 1:45 p.m. and charged with disobeying police orders and blocking and barricading roads.
Her daughter was fatally shot by police while trying to climb through a broken window to get into the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Witthoeft and her supporters chanted Babbitt’s name as police officers directed the mother to a police vehicle.
Video material shared by News2Share documentary maker Ford Fischer shows an officer telling Witthoeft, “We don’t talk about it. Get out on the sidewalk now or you’re under arrest. It’s that simple. We don’t discuss it. We don’t have discussions. Get on the sidewalk or you’ll be arrested.”
Witthoeft says several times: “I understand that”. She eventually gives a rose she is holding to a colleague and surrenders.
“My hands were behind my back,” says Witthoeft.
Witthoeft was processed and released that same afternoon. She will appear in court later.
Earlier on Friday, Witthoeft addressed supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court.
“As we stand in front of this building that says ‘Equal Justice Before the Law,’ let’s strive for it,” Witthoeft said. ‘Let’s make this achievable.’
Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, was shot near her neck by a Capitol police officer. An emergency team provided assistance and she was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Capitol Police found that the shooting was “lawful and within department policy” and that it “possibly saved members (of Congress) and staff from serious injury and possible death.”
Babbitt was hailed as a martyr among Trump supporters.
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https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/06/mom-of-donald-trump-fan-killed-in-capitol-riot-arrested-on-anniversary-18056277/ Mother of Donald Trump fan killed in Capitol riots arrested on anniversary