The online community is abuzz following the conviction of a 71-year-old grandmother for her involvement in the events at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6. Rebecca Lavrenz was captured on camera inside the Capitol, engaging with a police officer, and exiting the premises. Despite this, she was found guilty of four criminal charges. While inside, she reportedly said prayers, leading many to criticize the Justice Department’s pursuit of her.
The grandmother is scheduled for sentencing on August 12 and could potentially face a year in prison and $200,000 in fines. According to The Epoch Times, she provided investigators with photos of herself at the Capitol and admitted to attending the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021. The Department of Justice stated that she recognized the restricted nature of the Capitol grounds and witnessed altercations between individuals and law enforcement. Additionally, she witnessed a woman being injured during the chaos. Despite being inside the building for only 10 minutes, as confirmed by the Department of Justice, Lavrenz’s actions have sparked controversy and debate online.
“She was found guilty of four federal misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building,” the report said.
Prior to the commencement of her trial, she uploaded a video of her own self on the internet, capturing the moment she entered the Capitol for the first time since January 6, 2021.
“My own country is treating me like a criminal just because I believe that my—they stole my rightful president, and just standing up for my country makes me a criminal,” the grandmother said.
“It’s not right. It feels so weird to be here,” she said.
Former President Donald Trump praised her as a “patriot” on Friday and provided a link for individuals to contribute to her legal defense fund.
“Rebecca Lavrez, also known as the “J6 Praying Grandma,” has been unfairly targeted by Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ, and now faces up to 1 YEAR in prison for peacefully walking around the Capitol, and praying for our Failing Nation on January 6th! Rebecca is a 72-year-old Grandmother and Small Business Owner from Colorado, and now she is one of Joe Biden’s J6 HOSTAGES!!! Crooked Joe Biden spends more time prosecuting Patriots like Rebecca, AND ME, than Violent Criminals, Thugs, Murderers, and ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS who are destroying our Country. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST. MAGA2024!” he said.
In tears as I drive by the Capitol for the first time since January 2021.
My own country is treating me like a criminal. I’m here because I love my country. America is worth saving and I won’t give up.#j6trial #j6prayingrandma pic.twitter.com/hpW2MVOVJd
— Rebecca Lavrenz (@j6prayingrandma) March 20, 2024
The grandmother, who is an active user on X (previously known as Twitter), has been sharing videos of herself at different places. One of the videos she shared was taken during her trial, where she can be seen standing in front of the National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
“I’m in Plymouth, Massachusetts, standing right beside this national monument to our forefathers, those pilgrims that came over to this land over 400 years ago to make a covenant with God that this land would be for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith,” the grandmother said.
“Three years ago I drove 25 hours because I believed in this covenant, and now I am on trial to defend that covenant,” she said..
“I was surprised,” she said after the verdict. “I believe God wanted it to turn out this way so my voice could be amplified. We have to wake up our country.”
“The whole reason I went to the Capitol was to pray,” the grandmother said.
“I didn’t get into this for myself, I was there to stand up for my country. God led me to go there and into the building to stand up for my First Amendment rights to petition the government for a redress of grievances,” she said.
