Elon Musk, Others Speak Out Against DOJ’s Conviction Of Praying Grandma Who Walked In Capital On J6
A Colorado grandmother, who briefly entered the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 after participating in a group prayer session on the grounds, was found guilty of four misdemeanor charges.
She was convicted by a DC jury this afternoon, and many prominent figures including Elon Musk have weighed in to express their frustrations over the story, with some calling for a “presidential pardon.”
If sentenced, the grandmother could face up to a year in prison and fines exceeding $200,000.
The DC jury deliberated for nearly 26 hours before delivering the guilty verdict. The defendant, 71-year-old Rebecca Lavrenz, is the owner of a bed and breakfast in Colorado Springs. Musk called the decision “not right” in a response on X.
“She needs prayers…and then a presidential pardon,” wrote Senator Mike Lee (R-AZ) on X.
Lavrenz received a call from her son on New Year’s Day 2021, inquiring about her intentions to attend the “March to Save America” rally in Washington. Despite her aversion to flying due to mandatory masking regulations, Lavrenz ultimately decided to make the journey after prayerful consideration, embarking on a 25-hour drive with a single overnight stop in St. Louis.
As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she maintains that her decision to attend the rally was rooted in prayer and contemplation, The American Spectator reports.
At approximately 2:43 p.m. on January 6, Lavrenz entered the Capitol through an open door on the east side. She expressed, “I felt that if those doors opened I was supposed to go through.”
Once inside, she ascended the east stairs and headed towards the rotunda. Notably, Lavrenz did not engage in disruptive behavior, speaking to only one police officer and witnessing no violence or vandalism. The grandmother was never instructed to leave, and she voluntarily exited the building at 2:51 p.m., shortly after entering, surveillance footage shows.
Lavrenz received an unexpected visit from federal agents at her semi-rural Colorado residence on April 19, 2021, which is also known as Patriots Day. Lavrenz greeted a male and a female agent following a knock on her door who had arrived to conduct an investigation.
“I’m sorry,” Lavrenz expressed, “I’m in the middle of baking a cake for my son’s birthday.”
The grandmother requested a rescheduling of their visit, to which the agents agreed. They returned on April 26 for what Lavrenz described as a “consensual interview.”
Lavrenz’s actions on January 6 led to her being charged with four misdemeanor counts, including entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. During her trial, she testified in her own defense for five hours. However, the jury’s verdict still found her guilty.
“The deliberation was good because obviously at least one person on the jury was fighting for me, and many people have been convicted in the first hour,” Lavrenz commented, reflecting on the trial process.
Lavrenz’s case has garnered widespread attention, especially within conservative circles, with surveillance footage corroborating her peaceful demeanor inside the Capitol. In response to the legal proceedings, she has launched a fundraiser to assist with her legal fees.
“I didn’t get into this for myself,” Lavrenz has stated, reflecting on her actions. “I was there to stand up for my country.”
Lavrenz shared her emotional turmoil in a video posted online on March 20 during the lead-up to her trial. Tearfully, she expressed feeling mistreated by her own country for her beliefs regarding the outcome of the presidential election. “My own country is treating me like a criminal,” Lavrenz lamented. “I was just standing up for my country… It’s just not right, it feels so weird to be here.”
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