WASHINGTON (AP) – Protesters who support President Donald Trump clashed with police on Wednesday, sending the US Capitol into chaos, closing the building and interrupting the vote to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
Dozens of people breached the Capitol’s security perimeters and lawmakers within the Chamber were instructed to put on gas masks while tear gas was fired at the Rotunda.
A chaplain prayed while the police guarded the chamber doors and lawmakers tried to gather information about what was going on.
An announcement was made within the Capitol while lawmakers met and hoped to vote to assert Biden’s victory. Due to an “external security threat”, no one could enter or leave the Capitol complex, the recording said.
Both chambers abruptly went into recess. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a 6 pm curfew.
The skirmishes took place outside, where President-elect Biden will take office in just two weeks.
Protesters broke down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol steps and were greeted by officers in shock suits. Some tried to get past the cops holding shields and the cops could be seen throwing pepper spray at the crowd to keep them at bay. Some in the crowd shouted “traitors” as officers tried to keep them at bay.
A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said.
The skirmishes occurred shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, angering the crowd with his baseless allegations of electoral fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday, before the Congressional vote.
“We are not going to allow them to silence their voices,” Trump told protesters, who lined up before sunrise to gain a privileged position to listen to the president.