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US Capitol siege: American expats in UAE shocked at violence

Abu Dhabi - Many were saddened to see the country's image as the oldest and strongest democracy in the world being tarnished

American expats in the UAE have expressed shock and anger at the mindless violence and mayhem that unfolded in the US Capitol as angry protesters stormed the Capitol Hill building in an attempt to overturn the November 3 presidential election results.

Many American citizens in the UAE said they were saddened to see America’s image as the oldest and strongest democracy in the world being tarnished.

Tony Graham, an American banker based in Dubai, said the violent protests were shocking in the least. “Yesterday, we saw the lie of ‘birtherism’ culminate in an attack on our duly elected government, incited by Donald Trump, enabled by the Republican Party and all based on the easily disprovable falsehood of ‘voter fraud’. Thankfully our institutions and Constitution prevailed over the mob.”

Timothy Sarette, an American expat working in the energy sector in Abu Dhabi, said what the world saw in Capitol Hill was “un-American behaviour”.

“They have the right to protest. If they have differences, they should continue to talk and debate. Lives have been lost. It is only a small percentage of people who are the real instigators. It was sad to see America’s image tarnished in front of the world. You cannot justify violence. What we saw is violence against people, violence against an institution,” said Sarette.

Shukri Deria, another American citizen in Abu Dhabi, said she was shocked to see the unpreparedness of the law enforcement authorities when the violence erupted.

“Why did they not prepare? Where was the law enforcement?” she asked. “Thugs/terrorists take over a federal building and no police/state troopers or national guards are able to stop them. America, you disappoint again with your mixed messages,” she said.

Joel Murray, another American expat in Abu Dhabi, and who recently was in the US, said he was appalled to see what has happened to his country. “All I can say is that we are a country divided. Those that ‘have’ and those that want ‘what other people earned’.

Douglas C, an American expat, said, “The US has long loved to think of itself as a beacon of democracy. We claim to be a shining city upon a hill, and hope that the eyes of the world are on us. But now Capitol Hill has descended into violence and insurrection from unpatriotic Americans. Is this the example we want to set for the world? Is this the democracy that we hope inspires others?”

reporters@khaleejtimes.com