BOSTON — U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew Lelling plans to prosecute residents who participated in Wednesday’s attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Lelling, appointed by President Trump, said anyone who traveled from Massachusetts with intent to commit crimes against the Capitol will be prosecuted in the state of Massachusetts.
The statement was released from Lelling’s office on Thursday.
Yesterday’s events in Washington were shocking and, once peaceful demonstrations turned violent, they became criminal. The Constitution protects the right to freedom of speech and assembly. What it does not protect is a violent assault on government institutions. Americans on the right and left must re-learn the difference. Anyone who traveled from Massachusetts with the intent to commit such crimes will be prosecuted in the District of Massachusetts.
— U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling
Statement from U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling on Breach of U.S. Capitol https://t.co/SxcZCGiY2Y pic.twitter.com/xqfTr9fw3b
— U.S. Attorney MA (@DMAnews1) January 7, 2021
The FBI is also asking for help to identify rioters who participated in the attack.
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