Background
William Isaacs is a 21 year old firefighter trainee who attended the "Save America" rally headed by President Trump on January 6, 2021. William was a member of Oath Keepers and was asked to help escort speakers and render aid to people who might experience dehydration or have other medical issues that are often encountered in mass gatherings. William agreed because he anticipated the experience would be helpful EMT-related training. He was also looking forward to a mini-vacation to the Smithsonian Museum. On top of all that, William hoped for a chance to be close to the President of the United States. He was excited, like any normal 21-year old kid would be.
Some of William’s wish did come true. He did hear the President speak. Indeed, he proudly stood within less than 100 feet of the stage where the President spoke. Despite the chill January day, William was filled with a warm feeling of pride, both for himself and his country.
But a day that began as dream-come-true, ended in a nightmare from which William is still struggling to awaken.
America in Peril
On January 6th, the Country teetered on the edge of another civil war. The Country was grossly divided, with differences that appeared irreconcilable. One side fervently believed there were legitimate questions to ask about whether the results of the recent Presidential election were tainted by fraud, while the other side, with just as much fervor, ridiculed those who even dared to ask questions. It was the beginning of a new year, but the country was still caught in a maelstrom where people across the country burned buildings and turned over cars and threw rocks at windows and at people who disagreed with their political views.
In this atmosphere, William, an aspiring future first responder, listened to the President speak. Despite the travails the country was going through, William was proud to be an American. Although there were real reasons to fear, William felt there was just as much reason for hope.
The country had been through difficult times before. It had fought through them. Good had ultimately prevailed because good people were allowed to gather and express their views in meetings and gathering places across the country, where they were both protected and emboldened by First Amendment principles that allowed their views to be expressed and heard. At the end of his speech, the President of the United States urged the crowd to march to the Capital, not to burn it down, not to assault anyone, not to hurt people or damage property, not to break laws, but to fight for the law, fight for the Constitutional principles for which the Capitol of the United States and those who frequent its halls should stand, not to shut people up, but to be heard, to make sure the questions they had were not only asked, but answered.
So, on January 6th, William, with hundreds of thousands of American patriots, marched towards the Capitol, with men and women of all ages, citizens who not only took the time to vote, but who took time out of their lives to listen and learn and be informed and to try and make a difference in a country that they loved, to fight to be heard in a gray, dismal season where people’s voices were being shut down, where free speech was being stifled by Twitter, Facebook, and other social media and main media platforms across the country.
Stand up for what’s right. Be heard. Shine the light on the truth. Do not let it die in the shadows. These were the words, or at least the sentiments of the words, that William heard as he began the march.
In this atmosphere, William, an aspiring future first responder, listened to the President speak. Despite the travails the country was going through, William was proud to be an American. Although there were real reasons to fear, William felt there was just as much reason for hope.
The country had been through difficult times before. It had fought through them. Good had ultimately prevailed because good people were allowed to gather and express their views in meetings and gathering places across the country, where they were both protected and emboldened by First Amendment principles that allowed their views to be expressed and heard. At the end of his speech, the President of the United States urged the crowd to march to the Capital, not to burn it down, not to assault anyone, not to hurt people or damage property, not to break laws, but to fight for the law, fight for the Constitutional principles for which the Capitol of the United States and those who frequent its halls should stand, not to shut people up, but to be heard, to make sure the questions they had were not only asked, but answered.
So, on January 6th, William, with hundreds of thousands of American patriots, marched towards the Capitol, with men and women of all ages, citizens who not only took the time to vote, but who took time out of their lives to listen and learn and be informed and to try and make a difference in a country that they loved, to fight to be heard in a gray, dismal season where people’s voices were being shut down, where free speech was being stifled by Twitter, Facebook, and other social media and main media platforms across the country.
Stand up for what’s right. Be heard. Shine the light on the truth. Do not let it die in the shadows. These were the words, or at least the sentiments of the words, that William heard as he began the march.
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