WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A curfew has been imposed in the US capital following violent protests by President Trump supporters and clashes with police at the Capitol building, while a joint congressional hearing has been suspended due to protesters entering Capitol Hill.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a 24-hour curfew following violent protests by Trump supporters. According to the announcement, no one other than the mayor will be allowed to move during the curfew. The curfew will apply to every street, neighborhood, park and public place in Washington.
It should be noted that today the US Congress is ratifying the electoral votes cast in the presidential election. The meeting is being chaired by Congress Vice President Mike Pence. On the other hand, Trump supporters have taken to the streets in various areas, including the US capital, to protest the election results. Addressing a similar rally, President Trump expressed frustration with his deputy’s possible decision.
View from inside the Capitol as people gather on the West Front. The Capitol is currently on lockdown. pic.twitter.com/XKNKWNbHxZ
- Caroline Brehman (@carolinebrehman) January 6, 2021
A short distance from the congressional building where the verification of electoral votes is taking place, large numbers of pro-Trump protesters stormed the government building, where they clashed with police and arrested several people. A joint congressional hearing has been suspended due to protesters entering Capitol Hill. Several protesters also managed to enter the house while a woman was injured during the protest and her condition is critical.
Today is the darkest day in American history.
Biden
US President-elect Joe Biden, in a brief speech on the protests, said: “Today is the darkest day in US history. Protesters have violated the sanctity of the vote. Violent demonstrations in the capital are an attack on our democracy. American democracy has been damaged, a small group of extremists are spreading lawlessness, violent demonstrations outside Capitol Hill do not reflect American democracy, stay calm and respect the law, Trump told supporters on national TV to end the demonstration.
After the speech of the newly elected US President Joe Biden, US President Trump appealed to the supporters to end the protest and said that they love the supporters, do not take the law into their own hands, go back to their homes.
Correspondents inside the congressional building say protesters have arrived in the backyard of the House of Representatives and are being held hostage by administrative forces. https://t.co/FG616KIWfH
- Hadi Nili (adiHadiNili) January 6, 2021
Earlier, addressing a rally of supporters, Trump announced that he would never concede defeat. There are also reports of armed patrols by Trump supporters in some areas.
a group of Trump supporters & militia gathering in front of the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta. some of them listening to President Trump’s speech live on their phones. pic.twitter.com/gSsBzsVByC
- Hadi Nili (adiHadiNili) January 6, 2021