WASHINGTON, November 15, 2020 - Left-wing activists chased out US President Donald Trump’s supporters in Washington, DC, and besieged a downtown hotel hosting them, prompting police to step in and forcefully scatter the crowd.
Thousands rallied on Saturday in the country’s capital to demand four more years for the Republican incumbent and echo his claims that the election victory was stolen from him in a massive fraud scheme.
The rally was mostly peaceful, but violent altercations began when Black Lives Matter and Antifa activists gathered several hundred feet away from the White House and harassed scattered groups of Trumpists returning to their hotels.
A Sputnik reporter saw a flag being seized from a Trumpist, two families with terrified crying kids chased out, a red MAGA ["Make America Great Again," Trump’s motto] cap torn off a man’s head. Police deployed in large numbers nearby moved to break up clashes, salvage Trump supporters and occasionally arrest their most violent attackers.
Law-enforcement officers moved to protect The Capitol Hilton after the downtown hotel hosting a group of Trumpists was besieged by a violent crowd. Policemen used physical force and pepper spray to disperse protesters who started vandalising cars parked outside. Several arrests were made during the altercation.
Videos posted on social media chronicle more violent incidents across the city, including a brawl between large groups of the leftists, who formed a shield wall, and people, who appear to be Proud Boys, a pro-Trump militia of radical views.
Another footages depict what looks like ransacking a street stall which vended Trump paraphernalia, a firework hurled at people dining in a restaurant, a man knocked down by a mob and kicked multiple times, a elderly Trump supporter on a bicycle beaten and having a liquid poured on him.
Police later said it made 20 arrests across the city.
Thousands Trump Fans Demand ‘4 More Years’ in US Capital
WASHINGTON, November 14, 2020 - US President Donald Trump supporters rally on Saturday in the country’s capital, Washington, DC, to demand four more years for the Republican incumbent and echo his claims that the election victory was stolen from him in a massive fraud scheme.
A week after major media outlets proclaimed the Democratic nominee Joe Biden President-elect, thousands of protesters from all over the country, including alleged far-right activists and members of nationalistic militias, gathered near the Trump hotel in downtown DC and marched in a huge column to the Capitol and Supreme Court to demand the recount of ballots.
“I am here simply to support my President. For all he has done for us the least we can do is to show that we won’t stand any fraudulences, any improprieties, any funny stuff with the election,” says a Black woman who introduces herself as Vanessa. “The least we can do is to show up for our President.”
The crowd on their way chants “Four more years,” “Stop the steal,” “We want Trump,” carries banners and placards in support of the incumbent.
“We are going to hit over a million,” a street vendor says without specifying if it it is about the turnout or expected sales.
Tony, an elderly gentleman in a T-shirt “Latinos for Trump”, learnt about the rally yesterday night and immediately decided to go. “After all, I live down the road, just three hours away,” he smiles. “I think we all have the same idea to show support for the President who we feel was re-elected President.”
David, an Israeli flag bearer, conversely traveled halfway across the globe to root for whom he sees the greatest friend of his country. “I came from Israel to support Trump, to say ‘thank you’ for everything he has done - for Jerusalem, for the Golan Heights, for peace with our neighbors,” he says.
Police closed a large part of the city center to accommodate the rally and beefed up their presence for fear of altercations between Trump supporters and leftist counter-protesters who are also expected to take to the streets.
So far the incidents are few and insignificant. A Trump hater displayed a placard of profanities toward the President and his voters. “We still love you,” a group of women in red MAGA hats responded.
A conflict between an isolated counter-protester and a group of Proud Boys, conspicuous in their black and yellow attire, some in helmets an bulletproof vests, but none with weapons, was quickly broken up by militia commanders. “Not in DC,” one of them shouted.
A passerby on a bicycle smiles to a little boy in a MAGA hat, “Hey, buddy, your parents are lying to you.”
Trump, who refuses to concede and allow a transition to begin, touted the gathering as “heartwarming” and tweeted that he “may even try to stop by and say hello.” Pool reporters said his motorcade passed by the venue shortly before the rally was scheduled to start.