Protesters Storm United States Capitol

[Dutch Lock Down Day Two Hundred Ninety Three]

I am absolutely terrified for my friends and family in the United States right now.

This violence will not be limited to the US Capitol.

This will not end tonight.

Please stay safe.

itv: The storming of Congress – an eyewitness account of how a mob shocked a nation: Watch ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore’s report from inside the US Capitol as protesters stormed the building

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f437y6UVjD8

Bloomberg: Live Now: U.S. Presidential Certification

“I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace, we have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt. It’s a very tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us — from me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home, we love you, you’re very special, you’ve seen what happens, you’ve seen the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel, but go home and go home in peace.”

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346928882595885058

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346928882595885058

NBC: Senate evacuated, National Guard activated, person shot after pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol: The person shot was in critical condition and at least one improvised explosive device has been found on the grounds, law enforcement officials said.

CNBC: National Guard will head to the Capitol to tamp down pro-Trump insurrection: The National Guard will respond at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday after pro-Trump rioters overran the building during the Electoral College vote count. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also said his state would send its National Guard and state troopers.

NBC: Federal officials with ATF uniforms are clearing the Capitol: Federal law enforcement officers are moving through the U.S. Capitol clearing out protesters. Reporters barricaded in a workspace in the Capitol greeted the officers — who had uniforms from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms — as a sign that the building may soon be safe. 

AP: The Latest: GOP lawmakers ask Trump to deescalate violence:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Congress’ tally of the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden (all times local):

3:40 p.m.

Republican lawmakers are increasingly calling on President Donald Trump to act to deescalate the violent protests at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters angry about his election loss.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he spoke with the president earlier Wednesday and told him to make a statement to “make sure that we can calm individuals down.”

Reuters: Crisis at the Capitol: Hundreds of pro-Trump protesters converged on the Capitol, where lawmakers were debating the final certification of the presidential election

PBS: WATCH LIVE: Pro-Trump violent protesters breach U.S. Capitol, halting Electoral College vote

On Wednesday, the nation will tune in to a dramatic and historic, if mostly symbolic, joint session of Congress.

Usually there would be relatively little fanfare over the counting of Electoral College votes by Congress — a necessary step in the presidential election process. But as the electoral votes from each state reach their final destination at the U.S. Capitol, Republicans in both chambers have declared that they will object to the counting of some states where President Donald Trump lost his closest races to President-elect Joe Biden.

BBC: Protesters swarmed the Capitol building and forced a lockdown, halting debate in House and Senate. Congress was meeting to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral college victory.

CNN: Protesters breach Capitol as Congress certifies Biden’s win

• NOW: Pro-Trump protestershave stormed the US Capitol, where members of Congress were meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s win.
• The House floor has been evacuated, and Congress is in recess. The DC mayor has implemented a 6 p.m. ET curfew.
• Before the protests began, Republicans in both chambers had planned to object to the count and delay the inevitable certification of Biden’s win.

The Guardian: US Capitol in lockdown as Trump supporters clash with police

President’s supporters break through barricades as Senate debates certification of Biden win

The United States Capitol was put on lock down on Wednesday with lawmakers inside as Donald Trump supporters clashed with police, broke through barricades and entered the building.

Protesters were seen inside the building and people working inside were ordered by local safety officials to shelter in their offices. Trump supporters were seen walking through the building, waving flags and clashing violently with security. Some members of Congress were told to don gas masks after teargas was deployed inside the building.