Antony Vo, 32, an American man convicted for his involvement in the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot, has fled to Canada to seek political asylum. Vo was sentenced to nine months in prison for his actions during the Capitol attack but skipped his scheduled surrender to federal authorities on June 14, 2024. Instead, he crossed the border into Canada, hoping to find refuge.
Vo, from Indiana, was convicted of entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct related to the riot. He is one of over 1,500 people charged in connection with the Capitol assault, which aimed to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Vo explained that he chose Canada for asylum because the country has a history of welcoming people fleeing political issues, such as draft dodgers during the Vietnam War and those who helped Edward Snowden escape. He also pointed to the support for refugees and his belief that Canada would be a safe place for him. He crossed the border with his snowboarding gear and sought refuge.
In his asylum documents, Vo argued that the January 6 event was a peaceful protest that turned violent due to a “domestic regime-change operation.” He denied witnessing any violence during the riot, despite widespread images of clashes between rioters and police officers. Over 140 officers were injured during the chaos, which included rioters using flagpoles, baseball bats, and bear spray.
Photos from the day show Vo and his mother, Annie, inside the Capitol. Annie, who fled Vietnam in 1991 and was granted asylum in the U.S., was arrested in March and is awaiting trial for her involvement. Vo hopes to remain in Canada until he feels it is safe to return to the U.S.
Vo expressed his hope that former President Donald Trump, who has called Capitol rioters “patriots” and “political prisoners,” will pardon him and others involved in the January 6 events if he returns to office. Vo previously explored seeking asylum in countries like Argentina, Mexico, and Russia but ultimately chose Canada, where he says people have treated him well.
Trump’s supporters, including some Capitol rioters, are hoping for leniency or pardons if he is re-elected. However, the legal outcomes for Vo and others involved in the riot remain uncertain.
