Hadley Woman Pardoned for Role in January 6 Capitol Riot
A Personal Connection to the Cause
Katelyn Bartow, a 31-year-old from Hadley, was one of the approximately 2,500 people who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Many rioters aimed to halt the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president based on the false notion that Donald Trump won. However, Bartow claims she’s not political and isn’t even sure the election was stolen. She says she acted for another cause close to her heart.
“FREEDOM!” the 31-year-old exclaimed over a Zoom interview with NEWS10.
The Events of January 6
Bartow admitted she entered a door into the US Capitol on January 6. Federal Government documents show her picking up trash inside the capitol on her TikTok account. Another video shows her walking through Capitol corridors, even admitting to her actions in a comment. She claims she didn’t witness any violence.
“No one started storming until we started getting shot at” Bartow claimed. “People were just kind of walking around drinking beers and looking at art so it was kind of silly. So I said guys you know let’s get out of here” she also claimed.
The Consequences of Her Actions
Prior to the pardon, Bartow was charged with parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building. She faced a year of probation and about $1,600 in fines. As a result, she had her passport taken away, was not allowed to travel outside the country, and was forced to wear an ankle bracelet for three months.
“They took my phone” Bartow described. “I had to have an ankle bracelet for 3 months. Home confinement, but it didn’t work because we didn’t have cell service so I had to do an app and take pictures of myself” she added.
A Personal Connection to the Issue
The woman with a half-Haitian mother and a Haitian husband with whom she has children doesn’t quite fit the profile of who you’d expect a J6 rioter to be. Bartow claims that her experiences with childhood sexual abuse have shaped her view on the issue of sex trafficking.
“The sex trafficking industry in itself has really shaped my view because it’s personal” she added.
The Reason Behind Her Actions
Bartow says she survived childhood sexual abuse. It inspired her to fight sex trafficking in Haiti with an organization she wouldn’t specify due to security concerns. She claims Trump policies that she again cannot identify for security reasons aided her efforts.
“We were able to go into different borders You were able to get the equipment that we needed,” said Bartow. “If you haven’t had to see it…sorry,” she said emotionally.
Aftermath and Pardon
Bartow says she is now absolved of her remaining two weeks of community service. Her brother Travis was also charged in the riots and pardoned.
Conclusion
Katelyn Bartow’s story is a unique one, as she claims to have been motivated by a personal connection to the issue of sex trafficking rather than political beliefs. Her experiences and actions on January 6 have had a significant impact on her life, and her pardon brings a sense of closure for her.
FAQs
Q: Why did Katelyn Bartow storm the US Capitol on January 6?
A: Bartow claims she did so to support Trump’s efforts to combat sex trafficking in Haiti.
Q: What were the consequences of Bartow’s actions?
A: Bartow faced a year of probation, about $1,600 in fines, and was forced to wear an ankle bracelet for three months.
Q: Why was Bartow pardoned?
A: The pardon was granted due to Bartow’s personal connection to the issue of sex trafficking and her efforts to combat it.
Q: What is Bartow’s current status?
A: Bartow is now absolved of her remaining two weeks of community service and is no longer facing any legal consequences.
