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Week 17 • 2020/21www.classroomready.com LeVeL 2

WORD POWER

Weekly NewsU.S. Capitol Riots

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is instantly recognizable. The white-

domed building standing on a hill is the place where Congress, consisting of America’s elected representatives and senators, meet. The building is one of the most distinct symbols of American democracy. On January 6, 2021, it became a symbol of violence and conflict.

The events began earlier in the day as thousands of avid supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gathered in Washington to hear the president speak. The supporters had come from across the United States at the president’s request.

President Trump repeated accusations the election was stolen from him. He lost the presidential election held on November 3, 2020, to Joe Biden. Trump called the election “rigged” and said there was widespread voter fraud, although no evidence has been found. President Trump then told the crowd to go to

Capitol Hill.

On Capitol Hill, Congress had gathered to make President-Elect Biden’s victory official with a routine, ceremonial vote. President Trump and his supporters saw this as the last chance to reverse the election results.

The crowd gathered at the steps of the Capitol building. They broke through barriers set up to stop them. They overwhelmed police officers gathered to defend the building. They smashed through doors and swarmed into the building.

U.S. representatives and senators voting on Biden’s election victory were interrupted. They were quickly evacuated to a safe area by the Secret Service. The mob rambled through the Capitol building, stealing, breaking things, and taking selfies. Trump used Twitter to tell them to go home.

Much of this was captured on live TV and social media feeds. People around the world watched. Five people, including one police officer, died during the rampage.

Eventually, police and the National Guard regained control. Some of the mob—who have been called terrorists and insurrectionists—have been arrested. The FBI and police are looking for more.

Meanwhile, President Trump has been condemned for his role in triggering this assault on American democracy. Many are calling for his resignation or impeachment even though there are only a short number of days until January 20, Inauguration Day, when Joe Biden will officially become President of the United States.

Twitter has permanently banned Trump from its platform. Trump had more than 88 million followers on Twitter.

DID YOU KNOW?

SeCReT SeRviCe: The U.S. group responsible for protecting the president and other high-level elected officials.

inSURReCTioniST: Someone who supports resisting or overthrowing the established government by violent or illegal means.

impeaChmenT: A process in the U.S. government where a public official, including the president, can be charged with wrongdoing, leading to a trial that can remove the official from his or her office.

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U.S. Capitol Riots1. What did President Trump tell supporters in Washington?

2. Who was gathered in Congress when crowds stormed the building?

3. How did the crowd attack the Capitol building?

4. How did the attack on the Capitol end for the rioters?

5. What impact has the riot had on President Trump?

CrITICAl THINkING1. Should there be consequences for the leaders and people involved? If so, what should they be?

2. What are your thoughts on what happened at the U.S. Capitol building? Who should be held accountable for what happened?

Weekly news Q & a

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The Capitol BuildingBelow are some facts about the U.S. Capitol building.

• The cornerstone was laid by President George Washington on September 18, 1793.

• Congress moved to the building in 1800.

• The Capitol was burned by British troops in 1814.

• The building reconstruction was completed in 1829.

• The Statue of Freedom was placed on top of the dome in 1863.

• The Capitol building has more than 540 rooms.

• The Capital building has 658 windows.

• The dome is 8,909,200 pounds of cast-iron.

• Paintings and sculptures of important people and events in U.S. history are on display in the rotunda.

• The Senate chambers are in the north wing and chambers for the House of representatives and the offices of Congressional leaders are in the south wing.

1. When was the building of the Capital building started?

2. What happened in 1814?

3. What sits on top of the dome?

4. How many rooms are in the Capital building?

5. What is the dome made of?

6. Where are the Senate chambers located?

LEVEL 2 CLASSROOM READY WEEKLY NEWS • WEEK 17 • 2020/21

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Word powerUsing the words listed below, fill in the blanks in the following sentences. All of the words have been used in the article.

1. The perfume had a floral smell.

2. Every day I do a check of my dog’s bowl to make sure he has water.

3. A heart is a popular of love around Valentine’s Day.

4. He gave his and left his job forever.

5. There is usually a that must be resolved between at least two characters in a movie or story.

assault, barriers, condemned, conflict, distinct, fraud, rampage, resignation, rigged, routine, symbol, terrorist

Quiz1. The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., is the white-domed building where Congress meets.

True False

2. The events began earlier in the day as thousands of avid supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gathered in

New York to hear the president speak.

True False

3. On Capitol Hill, Congress had gathered to make President-Elect Biden’s victory official with a routine, ceremonial

.

4. Trump called the election “rigged” and said there was widespread voter , although there

is no evidence of this.

5. On January 20, Joe Biden will officially become of the United States.