[ad_1]
WASHINGTON (AP) – Protesters backing President Donald Trump clashed fiercely with law enforcement on Wednesday, throwing the U.S. Capitol into chaos, locking down the building and halting voting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
Dozens of people breached the security perimeters of the Capitol and lawmakers inside the House chamber were asked to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired into the rotunda.
A chaplain prayed as police guarded the chamber’s doors and lawmakers attempted to gather information on what was going on.
An announcement was made inside the Capitol as lawmakers gathered and expected to vote to affirm Biden’s victory. Due to an “external security threat,” no one could enter or leave the Capitol complex, according to the recording.
The two chambers suddenly entered a cavity. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a 6 p.m. curfew.
The skirmishes took place outside in the very spot where President-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.
Protesters demolished metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol steps and were greeted by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push back the officers holding the shields and officers firing pepper spray at the crowd to hold them back. Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as the officers tried to hold them back.
A suspicious package has also been reported in the area, Capitol police said.
The skirmishes came shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, annoying crowds with his baseless allegations of electoral fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of the Congress vote.
“We won’t let them silence your voices,” Trump told protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to secure a privileged position to hear the president.
[ad_2]
Source link