Tensions Rise in Washington as Thousands of Pro-Trump Protesters, Counterdemonstrators Face Off
A woman with the Proud Boys wears an American flag bandana during a protest on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The nation's capital erupted into chaos on Saturday night after groups of pro-Trump protesters and counterdemonstrators linked to Antifa broke into scuffles.
Washington police struggled to keep both sides of the protest apart, resulting in at least six arrests, reported WUSA 9, but charges are unknown as of 7 p.m. that day.
According to NBC News, one person was also shot during the clash over the presidential election, racial injustice and pandemic restrictions.
A suspect was detained for the shooting as the crowd raged on, seemingly prepared for violence.
One of the pro-Trump groups found on the scene were the Proud Boys, led by Enrique Tarrio who put on a show of force as a series of rallies urged President Donald Trump not to concede the presidential election, reported New York Post.
Several images and videos circulated on social media, showing the exchange of fireworks and police intervention on several streets of downtown DC.
The Metropolitan Police Department did not give an immediate response to the after-dark clashes, said Fox News.
Police Struggle to Keep Protesters Apart
The groups were spotted in the area of Freedom Plaza and Black Lives Matter Plaza.
"Both sides have heavily armed individuals in the groups," Washington State Patrol Sgt. Darren Wright told NBC News. "We've had sporadic confrontations throughout the day."
As early as 4:30 p.m. that day, WTOP's Ken Duffy already witnessed water bottles and at least one smoke bomb had already rained down on the crowd.
Entrances to the plaza were then blocked off by the police using police lines, creating a barricade that prevented the clashers from leaving or advancing the area.
Traffic in parts of downtown D.C. were also shut down by the police to separate the groups.
But the Proud Boys seemed insistent in reaching the anti-Trump demonstrators as they chanted "F--- antifa!" The group also burned and damaged some Black Lives Banners, reported WUSA 9.
Police appeared to do their best to have a quick intervention, as seen in several videos.
However, a report from ABC 7 said there was at least one injured police officer from the clashes. A video of her being helped away from the scene was tweeted by the news outlet.
Several unverified videos also showed that people were bleeding and getting treatment from the police.
Subsequent video appeared to catch sounds of stun guns and fireworks going off.
Demonstrators were also heard coughing after reportedly inhaling pepper spray.
Wright said the authorities declared an unlawful assembly, resulting in the dispersal of protesters.
Trump Appears Pleased with Show of Support
Saturday's violent rallies were meant to be a show of force as the Electoral College prepares to meet to formally elect the next president.
Read also: Supreme Court Dismisses Texas Election Lawsuit Against 4 Key Swing States
The move to have four more years of a Trump presidency received repetitive rejections from the Supreme Court just as it dismissed a lawsuit to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's victory in some states.
But Trump appeared to be pleasantly surprised by the show of support in D.C., a known Democratic stronghold.
"Wow! Thousands of people forming in Washington (D.C.) for Stop the Steal," he said in a tweet.