Pamela Hemphill, a 71-year-old woman who participated in the January 6 Capitol riots, rejected a pardon from President Trump, stating it would dishonor the truth of her illegal actions that day. Hemphill recognized her participation as a wrongdoing, claiming "I'm not a victim, I'm a volunteer." After serving a 60-day sentence, she reflected on her experiences in online groups where disinformation proliferated. She emphasized the challenges of countering false narratives surrounding the event and recognized her past naivety, considering the group dynamics as cult-like with manipulative messaging.
I broke the law that day, period. Black and white. I'm not a victim, I'm a volunteer.
Taking a pardon now in light of my actions would be a slap in the face to the Capitol police officers.
They were actually lying about a lot of things and I would bring them facts, they would get mad at me.
It's like, how was I so naive? Well, I see now how I was, because it's a cult and you get gaslighted.
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