Hundreds of supporters of the outgoing president Donald Trump demanding a second term for him were gathered initially in Capitol despite his loss from last November presidential election. On Wednesday, the members of the congress were supposed to be meeting to tally the Electoral college votes instead a riot was broken out by the supporters of Donald Trump and it eventually ended with evacuation and lockdown. The world watched in horror as the unpredictable events unfolded at the Capitol. The protesters breached Capitol barricades, smashed windows also made it all the way to the Senate floor and tried to break into the House of Representatives. Several images and videos of the protesters damaging the property has been circulating online.
The D.C National Guard was activated after the mob breaches the building it took more than 3 hours for the police to evacuate the place. The police had to use tear gas and guns to secure building.
The riot ended violently with 4 people dead- a woman was fatally shot and three others were in medical emergencies but were pronounced dead later. As per reports, 14 D.C police officers were injured and at least 53 arrested. Security experts call capitol riot a failure of law enforcement and a sad day for America. As the chaotic scene worsened at the Capitol Mayor Bowser imposed a citywide curfew from Wednesday 6 pm till Thursday 6 am. The Mayor made it clear that no one other than the essential personnel would be allowed in the city also extending the public emergency for 15 days.
After the Capitol was secured the Lawmakers made it clear that they intend to return and resume their work namely, confirming Biden’s win over Donald Trump by counting the votes.
Eventually, Trump released a one-minute video calling out to supporters to “go home” but adding, “We love you. You are very special. I know your pain I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was landslide election and everyone knows it. Especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace”.
The riots and storming of the Capitol have been described as domestic terrorism and this incident has been compared to the 1814 burning of Washington by the British during the 1812 war.
