Multiple people faced serious injuries on Saturday when supporters of President Donald Trump clashed with opposing protest groups after a “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C.
As Blavity previously reported, the Trump supporters gathered earlier in the day to protest against the results of the 2020 election, which they still claim to be rigged.
The crowd, which included conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, marched from the Capitol to the Mall and back again, remaining peaceful throughout the day. In the evening, however, the group clashed with counterprotesters near Black Lives Matter Plaza, Franklin Square and other downtown spots.
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The violence ended with at least eight people getting injured, including four who were stabbed and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to NBC Washington, at least 33 people were arrested. Ten individuals were charged with misdemeanor assaults, while six were arrested for assaulting police and four were taken in for rioting, NPR reported. Two officers were also hospitalized after suffering moderate injuries.
Police intervened as the opposing sides initially confronted each other. But the Proud Boys, a white nationalist group involved in the rally, became increasingly frustrated with the officers, who stood in the way with lines of bikes while the protesters tried to march through downtown.
“Both sides of the aisle hate you now. Congratulations,” one member of the Proud Boys said to the officers.
In the following minutes, multiple fights broke out in various parts of downtown. Losing control of the situation, police fired chemical irritants at the groups. D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham made a statement in midst of the chaos, telling protesters, “We’re doing the best we can.”
Source: Pro-Trump Rally Turns Violent As Demonstrators Clash With Opposing Protest Groups In D.C.
