By Aaron Miller-
U.S protesters, largely supporters of U.S President Donald Trump, rushed up the steps of the U.S. Capitol hill on Wednesday, protesting the results of the 2020 U.S elections.
Pro-Trump protesters stormed barricades set up outside the U.S. Capitol complex and law enforcement were seen trying to push them back.
Footage on social media shows rioters inside the Capitol building, chanting “USA” and clashing with police.
Metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were torn by violent protesters, who were eventually confronted by officers in riot gear.
Tear gas was fired inside the House as armed pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol.
An armed standoff occurred in the House chamber, and multiple officiers were injured in the melee.
An incredulous sight was the fact that a rioter even got into the Senate chamber to sit in the presiding officer’s chair, where Mike Pence had been earlier. The armed mobs were seen damaging windows of the building.
The protesters were protesting against the process through which Congress certifies the Electoral College votes electing Biden as the winner of the elections.
The Senate was debating objections to the certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory, at the time protesters disrupted the debating process by gate crashing the scene.
Trump had taken the stage at a rally about an hour earlier to complain of “bold and radical left Democrats” and “fake news media” asserting that he won November’s election. “Fight for Trump,” the crowd chanted back.
Shortly after Congress started its joint session, Trump left the stage and a stream of protesters began flooding the streets and making their way toward the Capitol. It took a while before enough police arrived on the scene. There was an armed stand off between cops and some of the protesters.
Clashes
Violent clashes occurred between police and Protesters, after the latter found their way inside the building and people working inside were ordered by local safety officials to shelter in their offices. Trump supporters walked through the building, Some members of Congress were told to don gas masks after teargas was deployed inside the building.
Supporters took over the steps of the Capitol after barging through police. Police officers were depicted in violent tussles as they stormed the building.
The move meant that the Senate and the House of Representatives both recessed its debate over congressional certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory over Trump in November’s presidential election.
Vice-President Mike Pence was ushered out of the Senate and taken to a secure location. A woman is reportedly in critical condition after being shot in the chest. The circumstances of that shooting is unclear.