Fresh off Wednesday’s trip to the now-infamous rally in Washington that led to a violent mob storming the U.S. Capitol, members of Orange County Right To Life told Spectrum News they resent being called terrorists, rioters, or even protesters.

The group packed into Assemblyman Colin Schmitt’s Washingtonville office on Thursday to explain they were far from any violence, did not trespass, and did not riot.

What You Need To Know

  • Facing calls for his resignation, Assemblyman Colin Schmitt defended himself and protesters Thursday

  • Schmitt said the non-violent protesters at the storming of the Capitol deserve an apology

  • Protestors who spoke Thursday night claim Black Lives Matter and Antifa protesters infiltrated

“I keep giving you the same answer,” said one woman who did not provide her name. “Why don’t you get it straight? We were there to show our love and support for the president. Don’t make it anything else.”

Schmitt assembled the group Thursday to respond to several charged online comments made toward them and a threat against one of Schmitt’s staffers.

After a photo surfaced on social media showing Schmitt speaking to about 40 protesters on a bus before their 4:30 a.m. Washington, D.C. trip, several local officials began posting comments scolding Schmitt and the protesters.

"Schmitt sends Orange County rioters off to DC today,” former Senator Jen Metzger wrote on Twitter. “Disgusting and shameful.”

“Assemblyman @colinschmitt giving a maskless send-off to the domestic terrorists currently storming the Capitol,” Orange County Democratic Party Vice Chair Zak Constantine wrote.

Schmitt calls them “God-loving people” who deserve apologies.

“It’s a disgrace,” Schmitt said of the comments. “They should be held accountable ... They’re no better than the violence that was incited in Washington, D.C.”

The group members said as soon as the rioting began, they left.

They were positive, though, that opponents of Donald Trump helped started the mayhem, though they were “so far away they [rioters] looked like little dots.”

“When that statement came out about the right-wing extremists, there were also Antifa infiltrating the crowds,” one group member said.

When asked why they believe the popular, yet unproven conspiracy theory, the group’s unofficial spokesperson spoke up.

“You can tell a Trump supporter [apart from others],” said the woman who went only by “Susan.” “You can tell.”

As Susan and the rest began to elaborate and share claims they were heckled by Antifa and BLM protesters, Schmitt ended the conversation and told a Spectrum News reporter to leave his office.

“OK, I think this is over,” Schmitt said, as group members continued to squeeze in a few final words about who they believe were the true agitators.

When asked whether he believes the conspiracy theory, Schmitt said, “I wasn’t there.”

Facing calls for his resignation, Schmitt and several allies followed up his interviews with media outlets Thursday with eight press releases praising Schmitt and counter-scolding critics.

Reached by phone Thursday evening, Constantine backtracked on his labeling of the protestors as terrorists, instead calling them “misguided protesters.”

Editor’s Note: A previous headline on this story referred to attendees who stormed the Capitol. In interviews, the Hudson Valley protesters said they were not part of the group who trespassed. The headline has been updated and clarified to reflect this.