Lincoln man says D.C. rally was largely peaceful, condemns violence and destruction

Corbin Hubbell wanted to witness history this week - and he did. But it wasn't the kind of history he was hoping for. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Corbin Hubbell wanted to witness history this week – and he did. But it wasn’t the kind of history he was hoping for.

The 23-year-old Lincoln man flew to Washington D.C. earlier this week with his mother to take part in the pro-Trump rally.

Hubbell, who graduated from Doane University last year with degrees in history and political science, has participated in rallies and protests locally for years. At first, he says, the one in D.C. wasn’t much different from those – largely peaceful.

He left his hotel room around 8 a.m. and says he met countless people from across the country who, like him, love America and want to see it prosper.

But as he arrived back in his room in the afternoon, he saw a far different scene taking place.

“Unfortunately we have stupid people doing dumb things in our nation’s capitol,” he said of the mob that besieged the U.S. Capitol building.

Hubbell condemns the violence and destruction he saw play out on TV.

“That really made us upset,” he said. “I was saddened to see some of the decisions those people made. I wish they had not done that.”

Hubbell says those actions were carried out by a very small percentage of those who gathered in Washington, and that what ultimately happened is not representative of the desires of the majority who attended.

Hubbell  says the rioters should be held accountable for their actions, and that he thinks they caused extensive damage to the reputations of conservative Americans.

“That hurt the movement, it hurt the president, it hurt our country tremendously,” he said.”

Hubbell says what happened in Washington is not the version of American he wants to see. He says he wants peaceful protests and integrity in the electoral process.

When asked about comparisons made between Wednesday’s riots and those that occurred during Black Lives Matter demonstrations last year, Hubbell said anyone who needs violence to further their political opinion is in the wrong. But, he says he thinks there’s a double standard in the news media of how the events were portrayed.

“We’re just not seeing the same level of scrutiny being applied to those on the left through the media,” he said.

Hubbell says there’s an “incredible amount” of frustration among American conservatives. He says they just want “a fair shake” and have gotten the opposite.

“When it comes to people saying that everyone there was a domestic terrorist and needs to be held accountable – absolutely not,” he said. “You mean to tell me the seven-year-old kid from New York that I was standing next to is a domestic terrorist? I don’t think so.”

Hubbell says he thinks it’s sad the country is so divided, and hopes for healing in future generations.

“We need to go back to a time where we can talk to one another, where we can share smiles and share laughter rather than sharing hateful comments and evil tweets on social media just to score brownie points for whatever tribe we’re trying to please,” he said. “I don’t think it matters who is in charge. It doesn’t matter if it’s a person named Donald Trump, it doesn’t matter if it’s a person named Joe Biden. I want our country to be safe. I want our country be prosperous for my children and my children’s children. But until I have proof that I can see my children living in a free and prosperous America, I’m going to be terrified that I’m going to lose it before I can give it to them.”