A College Student Joined The Insurrection And Stole A Sign

She thought she was making history

It was a bad decision to invade the Capitol

When you look at the backgrounds of some of the Trump followers who illegally entered the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, it seems understandable that they were there. They were devoted to Trump and following his lead. They were people who attended his rallies whenever he spoke. They listened to his every word.

It may be confusing why some college students, military veterans, and business people would be there to join the riots. There were racial minorities and immigrants who were at the rally for Trump on that day. The fact that these people supported Trump is not the surprising part. The unfortunate issue is that many of them made bad choices to enter the Capitol and became criminals on that day. Their actions were destructive and illegal.

It is not known how many college students were present at the Capitol. There were some.

A college student from West Virginia apparently traveled the short distance from her home to the Capitol. She was a student at the University of Kentucky, studying mathematical economics.

I studied economics in college and then became an instructor of economics for freshmen and sophomores at a community college in California. I had a lot of bright college students and some that did not do so well. They were interested in the issues of the times as this college student and others who were at the Capitol on that day must have been. Whether they would have participated in an insurrection is doubtful.

Zoe Strozewski wrote for Newsweek about the college student who entered the Capitol during the riot and allegedly took a senate sign. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of theft of government property valued at less than $1,000.

It was a sign which read, “Members Only.” It was posted near the Senate Chambers. Perhaps she thought it would not be missed or she wanted a souvenir. Did those people think it was innocent fun?

She remains free for now, but a conviction could result in up to six months in prison and a fine of $9,500. That is a high price to pay for a moment of fun, but it could have been much worse.

It was reported that the college student bragged about being in the Capitol and claimed that they were making history. She said “it was cool” according to an FBI affidavit. She said she would be able to tell her grandchildren someday about the experience. She had posted on Instagram but later deleted her account.

The woman was twenty-three when she was charged. She was happy to be there at the time, but that decision changed her life. She said she has withdrawn from college and has had other repercussions.