REMINDER — Bette ‘Speakeasy’ with Aquilino Gonell — REGISTER ASAP

Just a reminder to please register for today’s Speakeasy zoom salon with American Hero — Frm. Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who just released the book ‘American Shield’

***REGISTRATION LINK IS BELOW THE PAYWALL. Events are for paid members. Please consider taking out a membership and supporting independent investigative journalism.***

RadPod just interviewed an American Hero, who says he was just doing his job. A truly humble, and moral man, and I am so grateful to be able to introduce him to the Bette Dangerous community today at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET

‘American Shield’ author Aquilino Gonell, who defended our Capitol and our democracy on January 6, 2021, will be joining us our special guest.

Many of you will recognize Gonell, because he bravely testified to the January 6 Committee.

Here are some of his words on that day:

“This is how I’m going to die,” said Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, as he told of being beaten by the violent mob in what he described as a “Medieval battle.” 

Gonell, a 15-year veteran of the Capitol Police, said: “Rioters called me traitor, a disgrace and that I, an Army veteran and a police officer, should be executed.” Gonell, who was born in the Dominican Republic and served eight years in the U.S. Army, described being punched, kicked, shoved, and sprayed with chemicals as he attempted to defend a Capitol entrance. 

“There’s a continued shocking attempt to ignore or try to destroy the truth of what truly happened that day and to whitewash the facts into something other than what they unmistakingly reveal - an attack on our democracy by violent domestic extremists and a stain on our history and our moral standing here at home and abroad,” he said.

In one of the most telling passages of his statement, he said: “I did not recognize my fellow citizens who stormed the Capitol on January 6th or the United States that they claimed to represent.”

Gonell noted the unpatriotism of attacking police officers “with the same flag they claim to represent” and said: “It was an attempted coup, and we were fighting for our lives.”

You will find the registration link at the bottom of this post, below the paywall. Please do not share link and please register with your account associated with your Bette membership.

Here are the details for today, and how you can support him and his family by buying his book:

• Today, Sunday, Nov. 26, 4 pm PT — Bette’s Speakeasy with Aquilino Gonell —author of “American Shield” — the Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy

  • Frm. Sgt. Aquilino Gonell is a Dominican immigrant, former U.S. Army soldier, and Iraq War veteran. For seventeen years, he was a United States Capitol Police officer and was one of four police officers who testified before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection. He is, as you know, an American hero.

  • Bette members who can afford to do so, to please support our authors by purchasing their books.

    • Below is a link to Frm. Sgt. Gonell’s book:

      • “American Shield”

  • You can read my report that highlights his passionate, eloquent testimony in front of the January 6 Committee:

    REBOOT — “This Is How I’m Going to Die” - From My January 6 Reporting Archives

I hope everyone had a joyful Thanksgiving and I am looking so forward to seeing many of you in the squares today for a special even with Sgt. Gonell.

With gratitude,

Heidi <3

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Bette Dangerous is a reader-funded magazine. Thank you to all monthly, annual, and founding members. Thank you as well to all those who support my work with your generous coffee tips and who buy my ebooks. Some of you prefer making subsidizing donations via venmo, and it’s always greatly appreciated.

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More info about Bette Dangerous - This magazine is written by Heidi Siegmund Cuda, an Emmy-award winning investigative reporter, author, and veteran music and nightlife columnist. She is the cohost of RADICALIZED Truth Survives, an investigative show about disinformation and is part of the Byline Media team. Thank you for your support of independent investigative journalism.

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