Locals Who Attended Pro-Trump Protest Return To MA As Pariahs

Some Massachusetts residents who attended the pro-Trump protest that gave way to deadly riots in Washington have returned home to heavy criticism, calls for resignation and boycotts.

Town officials, a business owner and a university employee were among those celebrating their presence both inside and outside the U.S. Capitol on social media or otherwise photographed there. Some are now saying they didn't take part in the violence that cost five people their lives.

But they are finding that for many back home, going to D.C. last Wednesday is not like hanging a Trump sign in their yard.

Here are some of the stories about Massachusetts residents who were reported to be at the U.S. Capitol last week:

An appointed member of a Somerville board that manages affordable housing funds is among those taking heat for attending the "Stop the Steal" rally.

Jessica Turner, who serves on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, said she participated in the rally but was not among the group that stormed the Capitol.

"That behavior is stupid," Turner told The Boston Globe. "And what they did was stupid."

But the city launched an investigation into Turner's actions last Wednesday, as a post highlighting some of her statements from the rally circulated on Twitter. Turner was appointed to the volunteer position by Mayor Joseph Curtatone in 2019.

"We share your concern. We're taking it seriously and doing our due diligence," Curtatone wrote on Twitter Saturday. "Will have more information soon."

Critics point to a tweet Turner posted at 3 p.m. Wednesday that said "We have breached the steps." But in a video posted later and found by another Twitter user, she says, "I'm safe. I'm fine. We didn't go up to the steps because we're smart."

Turner has since made her Twitter page private. She told the Boston Herald the initial tweet was taken out of context, meant to be "a general statement, not specifically referring to me at all."

But it was enough to catch the attention of some city officials. City Councilor Kristen Strezo said she "will be looking into this ASAP."

"This is truly disturbing," Councilor Will Mbah wrote on Twitter. "The administration must take swift action."

Ward 2 Councilor JT Scott said he was the only councilor who objected to her appointment in 2019, citing statements she had made in person and on social media. Turner is a registered Independent and supporter of President Trump who is concerned over the integrity of the election, the Globe reported.

Turner is not among those facing charges following Wednesday's violence. She told the Globe she has no plans to resign from her role and feels she is being unfairly "demonized for her opinions" in liberal Somerville.

— By Alex Newman

Over 500 Natick residents have signed a petition to oust a Town Meeting member after she was photographed inside the U.S. Capitol during Wednesday's riot.

The petition targets Sue Ianni, who was last elected in the 2019 Natick town election as a Precinct 3 Town Meeting representative. Agence France-Presse photographer Roberto Schmidt photographed Ianni with her fist raised in a large crowd inside the Capitol. She's standing next to Super Happy Fun America Vice President Mark Sahady of Malden. The group organized the 2019 "Straight Pride" parade in Boston.

In addition to entering the Capitol, Ianni organized several buses to transport local residents to Washington, D.C., to take part in the rally organized by the Trump campaign to protest the November election results.

In the petition, author Benjamin Jackson highlights Ianni's role in the riot and says she wasn't by abiding coronavirus safety protocols. The photo of Ianni shows her without a face mask.

"If those Natick residents who participated in this folly did so in such a manner as to respect public health and safety guidelines without engaging in an insurrection against our nation which resulted in the deaths of five Americans — including the murder of a Capitol police officer — we would not be writing this letter," he wrote. "However, that is not the case. These actions endanger our community, weaken our nation, and put the safety and reputation of our town at risk. Action must be taken."

The petition also asks the town to identify other Natick residents who attended either the rally or the riot and make sure they follow coronavirus protocols, including possible quarantine.

Select Board Chair Jonathan Freedman said Tuesday the board will read a statement about the Capitol riot at its Wednesday meeting. He said the town has received numerous inquiries about the riot that are being "examined by the authorities with the relevant jurisdiction."

Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said he will prosecute any residents who traveled to Washington, D.C., seeking to commit crimes. So far only one Massachusetts resident — David Ross, 33, of Pittsfield — has been identified among those arrested in connection to the Capitol breach.

"Anyone who traveled from Massachusetts with the intent to commit such crimes will be prosecuted in the District of Massachusetts," Lelling said in a statement Thursday.

The photo of Ianni and Sahady inside the Capitol was first circulated on Jan. 9 by Gregg Housh, a Boston-based activist.

Ianni did not immediately respond to requests for comment either via phone or email.

— By Neal McNamara

The owner of Arnold's Lobster and Clam Bar, a popular Cape Cod restaurant, attended the protest that turned violent at the U.S. Capitol last week.

Nathan Nickerson was one of thousands who gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday. The ensuing riot ended with five people killed, dozens arrested and the delay of the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

Nickerson told Boston radio host Howie Carr he was not involved in the violence that day. He said he went to Washington, D.C., only to protest.

"I didn't breach the wall," Nickerson said. "We watched people do it, and it was symbolic more than anything ... There was no danger, no one was in danger. It didn't create any real problems, but it'll come out like that."

Patch reached out to Nickerson for comment but received no response.

Representatives and senators were trapped in the Capitol Building for hours before Capitol police quelled the riot. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) told Patch some of his colleagues said "it was the most frightening day of their lives."

When asked whether he was happy he attended the protest, Nickerson told Carr, "Oh yeah, it was fun."

Several people on social media have called on diners to boycott Arnold's. A user identified as Beverly Doughty tweeted a screenshot that she said showed Nickerson's Facebook post.

Patch reached out to Doughty for comment but did not receive a response.

Since the tweet and screenshot began circulating, Nickerson told MassLive that the photo in the tweet is not him and provided a photo of him from that day in a different outfit.

Nickerson posted in an Eastham Facebook group to explain his involvement in the protest and condemn the actions of those who committed violence. The post has since been deleted from the page. Nickerson told MassLive he did not want the post deleted, but he has since deleted his social media accounts. Nickerson told the outlet since the false picture began circulating he has received death threats.

Arnold's Lobster and Clam Bar has been a summer dining spot on Cape Cod for over 40 years. The restaurant is closed for the winter and set to reopen in the summer. The restaurant could not be reached for comment.

— By Sam Mercado

UMass Memorial announced Friday afternoon that an employee who may have been involved in Wednesday's siege at the U.S. Capitol was no longer employed with the organization.

UMass Memorial announced Friday morning that it was investigating claims about an employee who was involved in the riot. The healthcare provider said the employee was a "caregiver."

"Over the past 24 hours we have received numerous expressions of concern through social media regarding a UMass Memorial caregiver who may have been involved in this week's violent events at the nation's capital," UMass said in a tweet Friday evening. "The employee in question is no longer a part of our organization."

WCVB identified the employee as Therese Duke, who was captured on a video fighting with a police officer during a protest. Duke left the altercation with a bloody nose, which her daughter, Helena Duke, exposed on social media. The incident happened on Jan. 5.

At least one of the more than 50 people arrested in connection to the riot is from Massachusetts. David Ross, 33, of Pittsfield, was charged with curfew violation and unlawful entry, according to Capitol police. Ross entered the U.S. Capitol illegally along with almost two dozen others, according to DC Superior Court records.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling has said that he will prosecute any state resident who traveled to Washington and was involved in the riot.

"Anyone who traveled from Massachusetts with the intent to commit such crimes will be prosecuted in the District of Massachusetts," he said in a statement Thursday.

— By Neal McNamara