Jan. 6 offender speaking at Lake Station church
The Lake Station Republican Party is hosting a now-pardoned Jan. 6 insurrectionist at a Saturday speaking engagement at a local church.
The cost to hear Kash Kelly is $40 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 2945 New Jersey St.
Lake Station GOP chairman Garry Trawick declined comment on the event, which coincides with Northwest Indiana Pride's celebration of Pride Month at Riverview Park, a few miles eastward.
Kelly, 36, of Hammond, was initially charged in 2021 with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds.
Kelly had posted several photos on social media while inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as insurrectionists injured police officers and destroyed Capitol property with prior encouragement from President Donald Trump at a rally.
Trump still claims, without proof, the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden was stolen. Trump pardoned the insurrectionists early in his second term in January.
Kelly's case was complicated by the fact he was awaiting sentencing in an unrelated federal drug case as his charges stemming from Jan. 6 made its way through the court system.
Kelly was sentenced to four years on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana during his time as a member of the Latin Kings.
He was also required to serve three years of supervised release in the matter. He was first indicted in February 2015.
On Nov. 10, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and the initial charges were dropped.
He was sentenced to 60 days of incarceration and $500 in restitution. He was released in 2024.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bill Carroll said he was unaware of Kelly's appearance.
He suggested the event might draw 12 people.
'I mean, it's America. Anybody can speak,' Carroll said.
Lake County GOP chairman Randy Niemeyer also was unaware of Kelly's appearance.
'This is the first I've heard of it. I think with these sorts of political events, people need to remember, on either side of the aisle, free speech applies to everything… I don't know much about Kash Kelly.'
He said the county GOP wasn't involved in the event.
Lake Station Democratic chairman Rick Long didn't like Kelly's appearance. 'I was raised in that church. Leave the politics out of the church. Churches are for people to go and worship the Lord.'
Long said his parents were lifelong members of Calvary Baptist. 'I'm sure they also would be disappointed… They were Republicans and would not like it.'
Meanwhile, in a 17-minute-plus social media video, Kelly reacted to the Post-Tribune asking questions about his appearance, calling the newspaper 'leftist media.'
Kelly said his talk would be about spreading unity, not encouraging violence, but he emphasized that he would defend himself if protesters 'incite' it.
'Keep the peace is all I'm asking,' he said.
Kelly said he hopes the event draws middle ground people who might be Democrats, Republicans or independents. He said he has no problem with the planned Pride event this weekend, but said if people disagree with the city welcoming the event, they should vote a different way in the next election.
'Don't show up with the intent you're going to dislike me,' he said. 'Why don't you give me a fair shake?'
Kelly did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
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