Impact, Consequences and Community Reactions To Violence At The Capitol

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Just a little more than 24 hours ago, pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol, and Senate chambers were evacuated.

It was a series of violent and unprecedented events that left four dead, police injured and dozens arrested, and temporarily halted the democratic process of certifying the 2020 Presidential Election Electoral College Votes.

Yesterday has been described as a dark day in American history, and a nightmare for those on the ground and for those witnessing events unfold in real-time.

How do we make sense of it? What are the consequences? And what about the next two weeks as we head toward the transition of power from Trump to Biden?

Today, political science experts share their reactions, and we open the phone lines for listeners to share how they're processing yesterday's events and our nation's political situation.

Guests are:

Andrew Schneider:

• Houston Public Media's Politics and Government Reporter

Melanye Price:

• Political Science Professor at Prairie View A&M University
• Director of The Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice

Brandon Rottinghaus:

• Political Science Professor at University of Houston
• Co-host, along with Jeronimo Cortina, of "Party Politics" podcast

Houston Public Media reporter Matt Harab also joins Ernie with headlines from Houston and beyond, including:

• Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says there is an increased police presence around city hall and other city buildings right now, due to yesterday's events at the Capitol.
• Houston Mayor Sylvestor Turner calls the last 24 hours a "roller coaster of unbelievable emotions" and a "shocking attack on our democracy" and showed a "glaring double standard" in the way protests are handled.
• In recent hours, Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo confirmed that Harris County has identified its first case of a more contagious coronavirus variant, which was originally found in the UK.
• This person is located in Southwest Harris County, a male in between 30-40. The first United States case of this new variant was found in Colorado.
• As with the Colorado case, Harris County's case had no travel history, according to Hidalgo – which is significant and suggests there is likely more cases of this variant.

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