Montgomery gathering recalls events at U.S. Capitol

By Connor Linskey
Posted 1/13/21

Members of the Montgomery community gathered at the Veterans Memorial Park in the Village of Montgomery on Friday morning to pay respects to those who died after supporters of President Donald Trump …

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Montgomery gathering recalls events at U.S. Capitol

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Members of the Montgomery community gathered at the Veterans Memorial Park in the Village of Montgomery on Friday morning to pay respects to those who died after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, following a rally by the president and his supporters in which he urged attendees to “walk to the Capitol” and “shown strength.”

Those in attendance included Pastor Jeromey Howard of the First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery: Randi Picarello, Business Council of Greater Montgomery Executive Director; John Ramos, Village of Walden Deputy Mayor and members of the Village and Town of Montgomery Police Departments. Howard and Picarello organized the event.

The group recited the Pledge of Allegiance and held a moment of silence for those who died in the riot. The deaths included a woman who was shot. Another woman and two men also died of medical emergencies. At least 50 police officers were injured during the capitol riot.

“We’re citizens of the United States,” Howard said. “We’re residents of Montgomery. We wanted to give people a way to express that in light of all that has been unfolding.”

Picarello noted that the event was a good outlet for residents following the events of last Wednesday.

“It was meant to just be for people that needed some way to acknowledge what they were feeling over the last couple day’s events,” she said. “It wasn’t about anything but patriotism and just a moment of reflection.”

Don Berger, one of the founders of the citizens group Residents Protecting Montgomery, also thought the event was powerful.

“I think it was a much needed healing that residents in our town and village really needed,” he said. “[Last Wednesday] It was a horrific day in our history and we need healing to move forward in order to get this country right back on track.”