"70th Anniversary of Capitol Attack Sets Stage for Jan. 6 Cases"

The 1954 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Puerto Rican nationalists, seeking independence for their homeland, has gained renewed significance as the Justice Department has prosecuted Jan. 6 insurrectionists using the same statute. The violent events of 1954, which injured five congressmen, were aimed at drawing attention to Puerto Rico's status and pressuring the U.S. government for independence. The case has parallels to the Jan. 6 insurrection, with both episodes involving violent acts seeking political outcomes and interfering with official proceedings in the Capitol. The 1954 case has been cited in high-profile Jan. 6 prosecutions, highlighting its continued impact on American democracy.