Man In ‘Camp Auschwitz’ Sweatshirt Arrested After Capitol Riot

January 14, 2021, 7:21 am

There was no shortage of horrors to behold during the attack on the Capitol on January 6, but one of the most blatant signs of just how dangerous and disturbed the far-right extremists involved are was found in a photograph of one of the rioters wearing a sweatshirt that read “Camp Auschwitz.” Democrats have long been scoffed at for warning of the right’s association with literal Nazis, but here, it seemed, was proof.

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And now that man has been identified and arrested. Robert Keith Packer from Newport News, Virginia, was outed to the authorities by two people who know him, including a neighbor.

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As with some of the other 70 or so rioters who have been charged so far, Packer is facing counts of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.

Here’s the Arrest Warrant for Robert Keith Packer. He’s charged with:

– Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds
– Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority#13NewsNow pic.twitter.com/6QX4Imfkq2

— Evan Watson (@13EvanWatson) January 13, 2021

The image of a man mocking the death camp where over a million Jews were murdered storming the Capitol under the guise of “patriotism” angered people all over the world. While some Republicans declared it was so outlandish that sure he must, somehow, be Antifa, Packer’s purposeful choice of clothing to a Trump rally-turned-insurrection didn’t surprise anyone who has been paying attention.

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If anyone was in doubt about the political orientation of the mob that stormed the capitol, look at the text on the sweater of one of them: “Camp Auschwitz: Work Brings Freedom” sweater. This was the text above the gate of Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau pic.twitter.com/kcH8FA6SWZ

— André Krouwel (@AndreKrouwel) January 7, 2021

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Economic anxiety doesn’t make a person wear a “camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt. In fact it shows the person chose to spend money on something with that message

— Dr Mia Brett, PhD (@QueenMab87) January 8, 2021

The last time there was a protest at the Capitol, this lady in a “Be Peace” t-shirt was arrested. Yesterday the man in this “Camp Auschwitz” hoodie wasn’t. pic.twitter.com/sWR84Hx3id

— Rev Hannah Mary Richardson (@hannahmary8890) January 7, 2021

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An anonymous acquaintance described Packer to CNN as a “long-time extremist who has had run-ins with the law,” per the interviewer.

Sure enough, as internet sleuths did their thing, they uncovered a mugshot from when he was arrested for trespassing, and additional digging uncovered a further criminal history including forging public records and several DUIs. 

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Though he’s been charged with two felony counts as of now, Packer may be subjected to additional charges as the FBI’s investigation into the riot continues.

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*First Published: January 14, 2021, 7:21 am