Politics

'Very disappointed:' East Bay reacts to new details revealed of Capitol riot in 1st Jan. 6 hearing

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Thursday, June 9, 2022
Bay Area residents react to new details released of Jan. 6 Capitol riots in the first House committee hearing.
FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) -- Fremont residents were invited to a watch party for the first of six hearings on the January 6th Capitol riot.

More than a dozen people gathered at Bronco Billy's Pizza.

Resident Donna Schroder told ABC7 News, "So disappointed. So very disappointed that this could happen."

Disappointed, disturbed and frightened is how some in attendance described the new details uncovered Thursday night. Community members offered reactions following the first hearing.

RELATED: January 6th committee reveals new details of Capitol riot in 1st hearing
Jan. 6 committee reveals new details of Capitol riot in 1st hearing


"I'm stunned," resident Rick Hood shared. "There are things I lived through a year and a half ago, that I became numb to while it was going on. This brought it all back, put it into focus."

The watch party was a push for engagement, according to event organizer Joanne Hoemberg. She got the group together as part of a national effort.

"I think it's extremely important that we do pay attention," Hoemberg said. "Because we are really on the verge of major problems with our democracy, and we have to understand that."

Never before seen videos and interviews were uncovered- including details of the attack played out on prime time TV.

MORE: The Jan. 6 Capitol attack, by the numbers
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"This is new footage that we've never seen, from new angles," local attorney David Bonaccorsi explained. "You felt the visceral, almost medieval battle that was going on. You saw some of the officers that were getting beaten in the back and pummeled."

Bonaccorsi led community conversations and hearing analysis during parts of the live broadcast.

"Part of our success as a democracy is having an informed citizenry," he told ABC7 News.

"We learn a lot more, I learn more, hearing other peoples' thoughts. The way they see things," Hood shared. "So we build on each other and hopefully walk away smarter as a group."

IMAGES OF CHAOS: Photos capture US Capitol riot
Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Supporters loyal to then-President Donald Trump attend a rally on the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Then-President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
People listen as then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
A supporter of then-President Donald Trump is injured during clashes with police at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
A rioter pours water on herself at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
A Trump supporter holds a Bible as he gathers with others outside the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington.AP
A demonstrator supporting then-President Donald Trump, is sprayed by police, Jan. 6, 2021, during a day of rioting at the Capitol.AP
Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
U.S. Capitol Police try to hold back rioters outside the east doors to the House side of the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.AP
Rioters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan 6, 2021.AP
Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.AP
Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, with other insurrectionists who supported then-President Donald Trump, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Police with guns drawn watch as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Congressmen shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Members of Congress wear emergency gas masks as they are evacuated from the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
The House gallery is empty after it was evacuated as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda on Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.AP
Members of the DC National Guard surround the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP
An ATF police officer cleans up debris strewn across the floor of the rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.none
Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., read the final certification of Electoral College votes at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2021.none
A flag that reads "Treason" is visible on the ground in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.none
A flag hangs between broken windows after then-President Donald Trump supporters tried to break through police barriers outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.none


Residents said Thursday's new developments only strengthened their conviction.

Some were emotional, but all agreed the country must know what exactly happened that day at the Capitol.

"It just really hit hard," Schroder said. "I mean, there is just so much stuff that just did not need to happen."

Hoemberg said there are currently no watch events planned for future hearings.

 If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live'

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