Four people have died following a chaotic day at the Capitol Building, in Washington D.C. yesterday.
A woman was shot by the U.S. Capitol Police; three others died in separate medical emergencies.
Thousands of rioters had gathered at the National Mall to protest the election results. A campaign-style rally was held about an hour before the mob broke through police lines at the Capitol, in which Trump had urged them to go to the building.
Vice President Mike Pence, not President Donald Trump, activated the DC National Guard, hours after rioters smashed their way into the building.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a 15-day extension of the public emergency she declared earlier on Wednesday to ensure peace and security through the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has issued a statement saying there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. The news came shortly after Congress certified president-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
Earlier Story
The Capitol Building in Washington D.C. is on lockdown as supporters of outgoing US President Donald Trump stormed the building early this afternoon.
Reports out of the US capital indicate that protesters breached barricades at the back of the building seemingly spurred on by a recent Trump speech repeating allegations that the November Presidential election was rigged. That’s despite a lack of evidence to back up those allegations.
Trump was defeated by Democrat Joe Biden who is scheduled to be sworn-in January 20. Despite losing both the popular and electoral college vote, Trump has continued to dispute the results and rally supporters.
The Mayor of Washington has imposed a 6 p.m. curfew and additional police resources have been called in.
Today, I’m ordering a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7. pic.twitter.com/lp6Pt3DcYC
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 6, 2021
Meanwhile, Canadian federal leaders are voicing their responses to the events transpiring in Washington DC.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement saying, “Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld – and it will be.”
Opposition leader Erin O’Toole calls the storming of the Capitol Building an “astonishing assault on freedom and democracy.” NDP leader Jagmeet Singh called for an end to the violence, accusing Trump of inciting the “horror unfolding in Washington.”
Canadian ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman says they are following the developments on Capitol Hill, and all Embassy staff are safe and accounted for.
Demonstrations are taking place in #WashingtonDC, #UnitedStates. A city-wide curfew will be in effect from 6 p.m. on January 6 to 6 a.m. January 7.
As the situation is evolving, avoid the downtown area. https://t.co/lVj4XoJ51d
— Travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) January 6, 2021
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