On Nov. 30, Siaka Massaquoi was reportedly returning with his wife from Nashville, where the couple attended the premiere of the Daily Wire's new film "Lady Ballers," a controversial comedy about transgender athletes. He was arrested, without a warrant, by agents at Hollywood Burbank Airport, Red State, a conservative news media outlet for which Massaquoi is a columnist, reported.
At the time, he was with his pregnant wife, Charlotte Massaquoi. He was taken into custody on misdemeanor charges including trespassing, disorderly conduct and parading or demonstrating in a Capitol building, and he was held in jail overnight and released on a $1,000 bond Friday. He appeared in court on Friday, according to FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller.
His wife set up a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo to pay for his legal defense expenses. "Charlotte was told the charges had to do with January 6th; however, she was not presented with any arrest warrant," the description read. "Siaka was taken to Monterey Park Jail, where he stayed overnight and was told that he was being charged for four misdemeanors about his presence outside of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on January 6th." She added that their family has been through so many ups and downs and a circus would be a more appropriate term for the turmoil and unnecessary display of government overreach that they have had to endure. The couple is expecting their first child in March. The fundraiser, which has a goal of raising $115,000 had already raised $ 88,131 from hundreds of donors as of Dec. 7.
After he was released, Massaquoi shared a video clip on Saturday of a live stream from inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. He captioned the post: "Witness why I was raided 2 years ago and recently arrested and charged Nov 30th, 2023 almost 3 years later."
Witness why I was raided 2 years ago and recently arrested and charged Nov 30th 2023 almost 3 years later https://t.co/0YH97WqftF
— Siaka Massaquoi (@_SiakaMassaquoi) December 2, 2023
The footage showed him holding his phone up to stream video among about a dozen protesters, some with their faces covered or wearing "Trump 2020" hats, crowded at the threshold of a door into the Capitol. Dozens of Capitol Police officers in riot gear fill the hallway and appear to be trying to get former President Donald Trump's supporters out of the building. Some of those in the video say they are "trying" to leave but are blocked by the crowds.
Meanwhile, he told Red State he was "grateful to Jesus for being with me and my family throughout this unbelievable event." "Charlotte and I are so grateful for all the love and support we have received so far and know we will get through this with God’s grace. Thank you for your prayers and support," he said.
Critics slam FBI for the obvious "political prosecution" of Massaquoi
Celebrities and political personalities have denounced the FBI's arrest of Massaquoi, pointing out how he seemed to have been a part of a "secret" watch list. His house was raided three years ago but there were no charges filed. He was also under constant scrutiny in airports. (Related: Whistleblower: Air marshals ordered to SHADOW individuals who flew to DC during J6, leaving commercial travelers at risk.)
Actress Gina Carano called the arrest "political persecution." "[Siaka Massaquoi] is an incredible human being, what is happening to him is disturbing and WRONG. Enough already, we shouldn't be having to try this hard to defend ourselves from our own government! It’s sickening," she wrote in a Dec. 3 post on X. "Like they don’t have enough pedophiles, sex traffickers, rapists, and murderers to go after but what do they choose to spend their time doing? What are their priorities?? Harassing a peaceful protester on Jan 6th."
Founder of the Babylon Bee Seth Dillon also called the arrest a political persecution that "can’t be allowed to continue." "He isn't just a talented actor and friend of the Babylon Bee; he also happens to be a Trump supporter," he tweeted. "And he's being punished for it by our government." Even Big Tech mogul Elon Musk commented: "This has gone too far."
Podcast host Kelly John Walker wrote that the arrest is a sign that the United States is nearing a "tipping point, beyond which we will be a completely subject people." "The Rule of Law has been replaced by something no American must tolerate: Rule BY law," he wrote.
The said arrest came a couple of months after he was part of a group that filed a lawsuit against the FBI, agency director Christopher Wray, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Bookmark Surveillance.news for more stories about how the U.S. government is still "watching" Jan. 6 Capitol protesters.
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