When Does a Protest Become a Riot?

Most people would be hard-pressed to find anyone saying the riot, invasion, or illegal entry into the capitol last week was anything but wrong.  Even the most die-hard Trump supporters sat back in shock as people stormed through the halls of the capitol, took over offices, and went into the chambers where our laws are made. Local county committees, state parties, and the national party on both sides denounced the entry into the capitol as wrong.  Soon Governors, Congressional leaders, and President Trump denounced the illegal entry.  This is all well and good, and as it should be in our nation of laws, but it also presents a unique question that needs to be answered.  Exactly when does a "Protest" turn into a "Riot?"

During the last year, the country has seen its share of protest, as Democrat Congressional leaders often called them.  These protests resulted in businesses being burned to the ground, homes destroyed, people hurt or even killed, cars vandalized, and cities damaged.  During one of these protests, AOC of Congress commented that the people in New York were breaking into places because they were "hungry."  These protests took place in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, DesMoines, Memphis, Houston, Los Angeles, Detroit, and many other places.  Democrat Pelosi stated she did not know why there were not more uprisings across the country.  Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris stated, "Protesters should not let up."  

As citizens tried for the most part to avoid areas where the protest was taking place, most Democrats in Congress continued to shrug them off.  From Congressional Democrats down to city leaders, everyone acted like it was simply okay to burn police cars, destroy homes, and terrorize citizens.   But something happened last week.  A "Protest" came to the halls of Congress.  Protestors invaded those Congressional leaders' home space, and their safe zone was suddenly no longer safe.  

As many of the Congressional leaders were in hiding, ushered out of harm's way, protestor stole property, broke items, made threats, and even took up sitting at the head of the Senate chambers.  The result, as you might expect, was swift.  Congressional leaders on both sides condemned the rioters, complained about stolen property, and pushed for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.  

After last week, citizens of the United States should now know when a "protest becomes a riot."  It becomes a riot when it directly affects Congressional leaders in their home court.