Pierce County Library System
Information & Imagination

Community Resources

Find the Facts

Find facts and resources to better understand the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Library staff have compiled credible sources to help provide information and context.

Jump to topics (A-Z):

• Attack on U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021 
• The Constitution and U.S. Code
• Domestic Terrorism 
• Election and Inauguration 
• Fact Checking and Misinformation 
• Hate, Extremism and White Supremacy 
• How to Contact Federal, State and Local Officials 
• Impeachment 
• Kids’ and Caregivers’ Resources 
• Mental Health Community Resources 
• Police Response 

Attack on U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021 

• Articles and Newspapers Get perspectives from around the world. 
• Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints Gain context for the issues you care about. Library card required for access. 
• Capitol Hill Siege Database Access primary source documents related to the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, compiled by George Washington University Program on Extremism. 
• The Congressional Research Service Gain insight on Domestic Terrorism and the Attack on the U.S. Capitol (Jan. 13, 2021). 

 

The Constitution and U.S. Code

First Amendment — Freedom of speech 

• The National Constitution Center Discuss the four clauses of the First Amendment.  
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Learn more about Internet Speech.  
• PBS Watch a short video Freedom of Speech: Crash Course Government #25. 

Fourteenth Amendment, Section 3 — Public officials engaged in rebellion 

• Constitution Annotated Read the text of the amendment.
• Gale e-Books Read articles explaining this amendment (Constitutional Amendments: From Freedom of Speech to Flag Burning (2nd Ed., Vol. 2) 2008.   

Twentieth Amendment — Transition of President and Vice President 

• Gale e-Books Access articles about this amendment from the Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States (Vol. 5, pp. 78-79).  

Twenty-fifth Amendment — Removal of the President  

• Gale e-Books Read articles explaining this amendment from Constitutional Amendments: From Freedom of Speech to Flag Burning (2nd ed., Vol. 3) 2008.  

U.S. Code – Rebellion or insurrection; Terrorism 

• Read the text of 18 U.S. Code § 2383 - Rebellion or insurrection.  
  • Find the U.S. Code definition of “Domestic Terrorism” - see number five (5): 18 U.S. Code § 2331 - Definitions.

 

Domestic Terrorism

• Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints Learn more about the definition, history and recent occurrences of Domestic Terrorism. 
• Capitol Hill Siege Database Read primary source documents, mostly court records, related to the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, compiled by George Washington University Program on Extremism. 
• The Congressional Research Service Gain insight on Domestic Terrorism and the Attack on the U.S. Capitol (Jan. 13, 2021). 
• Find the U.S. Code definition of “Domestic Terrorism” - see number five (5): 18 U.S. Code § 2331 - Definitions.   

 

Election and Inaguration 

• Newsbank Election Special Report A comprehensive collection of newspaper articles on topics covering candidates from the primaries through the election and its aftermath. Library card required for access. 
  • Log in with Library card number and PIN 
  • Click on "Special Reports” and then “U.S. Presidential Election” 
• Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
• White House Historical Association read about the history and tradition of presidential inaugurations.

 

Fact-Checking and Misinformation 

Reliable websites to fact check for yourself:  

• University of Washington Center for an Informed Public Learn about spotting misinformation campaigns and ideas. Includes a lecture series and featured speaker series as well as videos and resources.  
• Snopes.com Do independent research and make up your own mind. 
• Factcheck.org Access a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocate for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. 
• Politifact.com  Sort out the truth in American politics with this nonpartisan fact-checking website. 

How to Spot Misinformation 

• Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints Learn more about Fake News on Social Media. Library card required for access.
• ¿Cómo distinguir noticias falsas de verdaderas en 4 pasos? From Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico.  
• Stanford’s Civic Online Reasoning-Online Learning Learn about civics with lessons and videos. 
• Commonsense media Tips and advice for kids for spotting misinformation. 

 

Hate, Extremism and White Supremacy  

• Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints Learn more about hate groups. 
• Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints Learn more about the history of White Supremacy. 
• Southern Poverty Law Center Find information about 1,600+ extremist groups operating in the United States and where they operate according to the Center’s Hate Map.  
• George Washington University Program on Extremism Access research and analysis on issues related to violent and non-violent extremism. 

 

How to Contact Federal, State and Local Officials 

• Federal
• Washington State
• Pierce County

 

Impeachment  

• Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints Learn about impeachment.  
• History Study Center Database Find study guides, historical documents, analysis and research on topics relating to important historical events including the history of impeachment in the United States. Search for: impeachment. 
• U.S. Senate Learn about the Senate’s role in impeachment, influential impeachment cases through history and results of Senate impeachment trials.   
• U.S. House of Representatives
  • Learn about the House’s role in impeachment.  
  • Learn the rules and practices of the U.S. House of Representatives addressing impeachment, from House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House.  

 

Kids’ and Caregivers’ Resources 

Attack on the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021

• Common Sense Media Find tips for talking to kids about violence at the U.S. Capitol. 

Events in the News 

• PBS Kids Learn how to help children with challenging events in the news. 

Impeachment 

• Time for Kids Find the impeachment process explained for kids.
• PBS News Hour Learn how to talk your kids about impeachment.  

Misinformation 

• Commonsense media Find advice on how to teach kids to spot misinformation. 

Talking with children about violence  

• Colorín Colorado Get 15 quick tips for talking to kids about violence and more extensive advice on talking about racism and violence with kids. 
• 15 Consejos para hablar con los niños sobre la violencia. 
• The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Access collected resources for coping with violence.   

 

Mental Health Community Resources  

• Pierce County Crisis Line For a non-life-threatening but urgent mental health crisis, call the Pierce County Crisis Line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: (800) 576-7764.  
  • Crisis Text Line: text 741741 (mobile fees waived). 
  • LGBTQ Trevor Project Support Center: (866) 488-7386. 
• South Sound 211 Dial the number 2-1-1 to be connected to local social and community resources.  
• NAMI Seattle Access mental health resources for Black, Indigenous and people of color.
• NAMI Pierce County Find support for active duty, veterans and their families.