First Hearing of the Jan 6 Select Committee, first witness Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell “fought hand to hand, inch by inch” bncnews

Sgt Gonell: “I sustained injuries” I’ve on leave. “Despite being outnumbered, we did our job”

Gonell : “We are not asking for medals .. we simply want justice and accountability “ bncnews

Many of my colleagues have quietly resigned since that day … This investigation is essential to our democracy - Gonell

Gonell : “could not hug my wife when I came home” because of chemical irritants . After I showered, the chemicals were reactivated. Came home at 4am; returned to work again that morning to protect the Capitol bncnews

Metropolitan Police Dept Michael Fanone : “I was grabbed, eaten and teased” …”when I arrived around 3 that afternoon, it was unlike anything I had ever seen”… “hundreds of angry protestors, many of whom taunted us”bncnews

Metropolitan Police Dept Michael Fanone: “30 police officers used the weight of their bodies to hold off the onslaught of attackers, many (of the officers) were bleeding and fatigued” “We asked if they needed a break, no one volunteered.” bncnews

At some point I was dragged. They said “we got one.” Ripped my badge, seized ammunition, beat me with their fists and what felt like hard metal objects. “I was electrocuted again and again and again with a taser.” bncnews

Michael Fanone, Metropolitan Police Dept : I finally said “I’ve got kids” and some helped me. “beaten unconscious” and remained so for four minutes. Docs said I suffered a heart attack.

Fanone: “the indifference shown to my colleagues is disgraceful” bncnews

Daniel Hodges, Metropolitan Police Officer: “crowd became so dense we marched single file … but our line was divided as we came under attack.” bncnews

Daniel Hodges, Metropolitan Police Officer: was struck in the head, suspected this was the resulting concussion he suffered. Metal mask, was pulled over his eyes . Feared the worst . Crowd chanted “USA”

Daniel Hodges, Metropolitan Police Officer: “engaged us in hand to hand combat, tried to steal baton.” One stuck finger in my eye attempting to gauge my eye.

Daniel Hodges, Metropolitan Police Officer : “used gas mask to beat my head against the door “ “eventually succeeded in taking my gas mask off” “exposed to chemicals” … I screamed for help

11am EST: 90 minutes into the first hearing, witnesses are now fielding questions from committee members. Witnesses did pause in their testimony from time to time due to the overwhelm of emotions while describing the trauma and reflection of that day. bncnews

Fencing and large security presence around the Capitol complex.bncnews

Police quickly moving the crowd on 3rd street after an individual was causing some disturbance bncnews

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In his first interview since the J6 Rally, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger speaks to bncnews about how they wanted to be prepared for anything last Saturday. He told me, “I was really happy for my officers because I think after January 6 they wanted to feel like the department

Re: Capitol Police recommended disciplinary action for *6 officers* related to their actions from Jan 6. Manger would not go into detail but said they face a range of disciplinary actions, at least 1 is in the appeals process. The Associated Press bncnews