Just a few hours after a rally by US President Donald Trump at Washington DC, his supporters stormed Capitol Hill.
According to reports from international media, his supporters tore down barricades at the bottom of Capitol’s steps. Even though there was substantial police in riot gear, they appeared to do little as the rioters stormed the Senate. Violence was reported from inside the building too, it is reported. At the time of publishing, Twitter and Facebook had blocked Donald Trump’s account for 12 hours.
Here are some of the Twitter reactions.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is considered a good friend of Donald Trump and had also shown vocal support for Trump’s campaign with the “Abki Baar Trump Sarkar” slogan, expressed concern at the violence in Washington.
Modi tweeted, “Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.”
Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2021
One person was fatally shot during the violence that took place in Capitol Hill, it is confirmed. The woman was a former US army veteran.
Former US President Barack Obama blamed Trump for inciting violence. “History will rightly remember today’s violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation,” he said.
Here’s my statement on today’s violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021
Netizens were quick to point out how the police were treating the protesters versus the police’s behaviour when dealing with black and other minority protesters.
Is this guy serious?? Donald Trump supporters are leaving nooses around the #USCapitol after violently occupying it. #JoshHawley and #TedCruz need to resign.
Images courtesy of Getty#TrumpViolence #SeditionSenators #TrumpLost #ByeDon #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace pic.twitter.com/H6cgAlyL8I
— Jules Morgan (@glamelegance) January 6, 2021
Kid glove treatment of pro-Trump mob contrasts with strong-arm police tactics against Black Lives Matter https://t.co/jfomfHQxWu
— Steven Ginsberg (@stevenjay) January 7, 2021
When Black people protest for our lives, we are met by National Guard troops or police equipped with assault rifles, tear gas and battle helmets. When white people attempt a coup, they are met by an underwhelming number of law enforcement personnel who act powerless to intervene.
— Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) January 6, 2021
People also mentioned the soft approach of the security agencies vis-a-vis their crackdown against protesters demanding justice for George Floyd, who was killed by a US cop in broad daylight.
For reference, there were 14,000+ arrests at the George Floyd protests.
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) January 6, 2021
Wednesday’s events even led to former fans of Donald Trump calling him out for his reckless behaviour. British Journalist Piers Morgan, who was known as a Trump supporter, asked Trump to “admit you lost the election, and call off this insanity”.
Too f*cking late. A woman’s been shot in this carnage and it’s all on you. This is not reality TV, this is real life. Get on TV now, admit you lost the election, & call off this insanity. And then get out of the White House. https://t.co/UiK10viWlI
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 6, 2021