Capitol Hill blocked, curfew in Washington
Following an unprecedented violence by the supporters of outgoing president of USA Donald Trump the parliament building Capitol Hill has been blocked by the police. The process of approving Joe Biden's victory in the election in the joint session of Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) was underway there. Law enforcers later removed the lawmakers from the building. That's why President-elect Joe Biden's approval of the victory has been suspended.
According to the BBC, Trump supporters suddenly started rioting during the session. In addition to the vandalism, there have also been shootings. At least one person was shot. A curfew has been clamped in Washington.
Thousands of Trump supporters, including members of various extremist groups, gathered in Washington on Wednesday (January 6) to oppose the congressional hearing. Speaking at the rally, Trump announced that he would not accept defeat of the November election.
Hundreds of Trump supporters broke through the security barricades of the parliament building a short distance from the rally and clashed with police. At one stage, they broke through the police barricade and entered the Capitol Hill building during the Congress session. Police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse them.
During the clashes, police escorted members of the House of Representatives out of the session room. The unrest erupted as some pro-Trump lawmakers discussed proposals to cancel the election results.
In this situation, the Senate session was also adjourned. Police also escorted Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the joint session, out of the session room. Police advised lawmakers present in the session room to remove the gas mask from under their seats.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Donald Trump has called on his supporters to return home. In a video message posted on his official Twitter account, he told Trump supporters that the president could understand their pain over the vote theft. But in the interest of peace, I request you to return home.
A woman has been shot dead during a protest by Trump supporters, according to US media reports.
A federal law enforcement official said two suspicious explosive devices were recovered from the parliament building and taken away by the FBI and Capitol Hill police.