Liberal activist John Sullivan, 26, became a celebrity overnight. He produced unique footage of the “Stop the Steal” protest on January 6th. He was able to sell it to CNN and NBC for $35,000 each.
Armed with his MAGA gear and a bulletproof vest, Sullivan was able to blend in with the Trump supporters as they gathered around the Capitol. As noted during an interview with Rolling Stone, Sullivan said he was afraid the conservative activists – or “chuds,” as he calls them – would recognize him.
“I was worried about people recognizing me and thinking that I was Antifa or, like, BLM or whatever,” said Sullivan, who has defended his violent rhetoric during the protest as a tactic to blend in.
Somehow, Sullivan was able to convince police to step aside as protestors surged into the Speaker’s Lobby. He said law enforcement’s weak response surprised him. He had anticipated the sort of crowd control munitions typically used to dispel BLM demonstrations. “It’s hard to fathom,” he said.
Sullivan’s footage, which he made into a 40-minute documentary, includes the moment when Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer.
“I wanted to show the gun firing, and the bullet hitting her, and how she dropped to the ground,” Sullivan told Rolling Stone. “I knew that this was going to be the only record of how she would have died. Because I knew she was going to die.”
Moments before her death, Sullivan shouts: “It’s a motherfucking revolution! Let’s take this shit!”
Sullivan posted his “documentary” online and soon received a visit from the FBI. Authorities charged him with the following:
- Knowingly entering a restricted area
- Violent entry
- Disorderly conduct
- Interfering with police
Sullivan’s defense attorney says he was a documentarian recording history and should not face charges.
Who is John Sullivan?
Sullivan is a native of Utah and a semi-professional speedskater. He became a political activist following the death of George Floyd. Last year, he founded the group Insurgence USA in order to “end police brutality” and “empower and uplift black and indigenous voices.”
Sullivan arrived in Washington, DC on January 4th with plans to film the “storming of the Capitol.”
He knew about the event four weeks in advance.
In addition to the federal charges listed above, Sullivan faces riot and criminal mischief charges based on his participation in a Black Lives Matter demonstration last summer in Utah. Ironically, Sullivan’s brother James is a hardcore Trump supporter who founded Civilized Awakening – a conservative political group with strong ties to Proud Boys.
Author’s Note: What we have here is the liberal media paying a criminal for footage of an event that he helped instigate.
Sources:
‘I Don’t Think She Deserved to Die’: Black Activist Who Filmed Ashli Babbitt Shooting Speaks Out
Who is John Sullivan, accused provocateur charged in Capitol riot?
CNN, NBC paid accused rioter for his ‘let’s burn’ Capitol video
Man who shot video of fatal Capitol shooting is arrested, remains focus of political storm