Jan. 6 plaque dispute rekindles legal battle
A legal dispute over
the placement of a plaque honoring law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, riot is escalating. Former officers Harry Dunn and Danny Hodges have asked a judge to allow their lawsuit to proceed, arguing the plaque's location violates the law.
Officers argue plaque's location is a breach of law
The lawsuit centers on the unexpected installation of the plaque inside a pair of doors on the west front of the Capitol early Saturday morning. Plaintiffs contend that placing the memorial in a “hidden” location is no different than its previous storage in a basement, effectively violating a law requiring it be displayed publicly on the Capitol’s western front.
The officers argue that “honor is a social – that is, public – recognition,” and that the potentially temporary nature of the installation does not negate this requirement. The architect of the Capitol is named as a defendant in the suit, which asserts the plaque must be displayed on the exterior of the building, as stipulated by a law requiring its installation by March 2023.
This latest legal challenge adds to a long-standing controversy surrounding the plaque's placement. House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly criticized Republican leaders for delays in installing the marker, a point that has drawn advocacy from Jan. 6 police responders and their families.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) had championed the plaque's installation, suggesting its current location is not intended to be permanent. The legal battle underscores the ongoingtensions surrounding the events of January 6th and the efforts to commemorate those who defended the Capitol.
The suit also raises questions about the interpretation of the law mandating the plaque's placement, emphasizing the distinction between public display and restricted access.
The delay in installing the plaque has been a point of contention for months, with Democrats accusing Republicans of obstruction. This legal action represents the latest chapter in a protracted effort to honor the law enforcement officers who faced a violent attack on American democracy.