Above photo: Trump supporters stand on the U.S. Capitol Police armored vehicle as others take over the steps of the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, as the Congress works to certify the electoral college votes. By Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
Washington – More right-wing demonstrations are planned in the nation’s capital, and District residents are urging short-term rental hosts to keep their properties vacant in an attempt to limit the damage.
The hashtag #DontRentDC is trending online following news that far-right activists are organizing more gatherings starting Jan. 16 in opposition to Joe Biden’s inauguration.
One such gathering is called the “Million Militia March.”
Thousands of Pres. Trump’s supporters traveled to the nation’s capital this week before storming the U.S. Capitol in a violent raid Wednesday that led to five deaths.
Federal authorities on Saturday announced the arrests of rioters who traveled from Arizona to Florida before the insurrection against a congressional hearing certifying November’s presidential election results.
At least one hotel, The Line in Adams Morgan, said it evicted right-wing “Proud Boys” activists after a fight outside the property this week.
“It is not within our legal right to police the beliefs or politics of our guests other than to strongly enforce a zero-tolerance policy for violent, hateful or disrespectful behavior, which we have always done,” the hotel said in a statement.
Now, District residents are hoping short-term D.C. landlords on Airbnb and other booking sites do the same:
I'm humbly asking all DC folks who rent via VRBO/Airbnb/etc. to refrain from renting/listing their properties from January 17th-20th as we read reports there will be a second far right riot planned#DontRentDC
— James 🌶. Benson (@jimothybringus) January 9, 2021
Please do not VRBO/Airbnb/etc your apartment if you are in the DC area ahead of/for the inauguration. I know typically this is a great time to make some extra $ but this year it is too unstable, especially with what happened at the Capitol less than a week ago. #DontRentDC https://t.co/jGoaMbUpkY
— Tess Pfeifle (@TessPfeifle) January 10, 2021
@Airbnb @bchesky @AirbnbHelp @dcmayorsoffice @MayorBowser Any way to help any hosts for whom this might be a financial strain?
— Melanie Ho (@melanieho13) January 10, 2021