Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Violence broke out on Saturday when several thousand people rallied at Freedom Plaza in the US capital city of Washington, DC in support of US President Donald Trump to protest the results of the 2020 US Presidential Election, where former US Vice-President Joe Biden has been projected to have defeated the incumbent in both the popular vote and the electoral college. The demonstrations were initially peaceful, but clashes with counter-protesters broke out by the evening hours.
Video captured two factions pushing, punching, and throwing projectiles. A report alleged fireworks and flash bangs were used.
As a result of Saturday’s unrest, according to a report citing the mayor’s office, twenty people were arrested, and two police officers were injured. President Trump lashed out at the capital city’s Democratic mayor Muriel Bowser on Twitter, accusing her of “not doing her job”. The president has blamed Democratic leadership for violence and unrest in various US cities throughout 2020.
The president has not yet conceded the election, and has claimed widespread voter fraud with mail-in ballots, and made various legal challenges. State and federal election officials have stated there is currently no evidence to support the President’s claims of widespread voter fraud.