People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday as Congress was confirming Joe Biden’s electoral college victory.
The Senate has recessed its debate over an objection to the results of the Electoral College after protesters forced police to lock down the building. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. AP News reported the skirmishes came just shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud.
Bay Area leaders quickly went to social media to voice their concerns about the Capitol Hill Riots. The leaders include: Governor Newsom, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, San Francisco District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney and KGO hosts Chip Franklin, Nikki Medoro, Mark Thompson and Pat Thurston.
Governor Gavin Newsom shared his thoughts on Twitter.
What we’re witnessing in the US Capitol is reprehensible. An outright assault to our democratic institutions.
Our hearts are with our Congressional Delegation and the brave public servants that work in our Capitol every day. pic.twitter.com/Qwjry6AhVw
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 6, 2021
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf tweeted:
This is terrorism. This is chaos and violence incited by Trump’s continuous assault on our democracy. Ultimately our country will withstand this moment, and then we must hold the perpetrators accountable. #capitol
— Libby Schaaf (@LibbySchaaf) January 6, 2021
San Francisco Mayor London Breed tweeted:
This is an attempted coup encouraged by the President of the United States. It’s a dark day for our democracy, and the culmination of all of his anti-democratic words and actions from his campaign through his presidency.
We are better than this.
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) January 6, 2021
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo released a full statement in regards to today’s actions.
Full statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LkVCx3Fxrh
— Sam Liccardo (@sliccardo) January 6, 2021
San Francisco District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney voiced his concerns.
This madness is the direct consequence of Donald Trump’s incitement, aided and abetted by his family and Republicans in Congress.
They encouraged it and purposely allowed it to happen.
Watch their speeches literally from today.
— Matt Haney (@MattHaneySF) January 6, 2021
Trump must be impeached and removed immediately.
He’s openly encouraging and attempting a coup.
— Matt Haney (@MattHaneySF) January 6, 2021
KGO’s Chip Franklin, Nikki Medoro, Mark Thompson and Pat Thurston shared their thoughts.
Meanwhile, 4000 more Americans died from Covid
— Chip Franklin InsideTheBeltway.com (@chipfranklin) January 6, 2021
Isn’t this what MAGA said that antifa would do?
— Chip Franklin InsideTheBeltway.com (@chipfranklin) January 6, 2021
BREAKING – Inside the Capitol Now: They just stormed the Capitol with… a Confederate Flag. And a Trump one to go with it.
This is the coup they’ve wanted – since 1865. pic.twitter.com/EftT1VVIym
— Chip Franklin InsideTheBeltway.com (@chipfranklin) January 6, 2021
Nikki Medoro tweeted:
They are domestic terrorists. Stop calling them protesters.
— Nikki Medoro (@NikkiMedoro) January 6, 2021
The protesters storming the Capitol are not patriots. They are brainwashed, Trump cult followers. It’s shameful and if anyone is hurt, the blood is on Trump’s hands.
— Nikki Medoro (@NikkiMedoro) January 6, 2021
Makes you wonder who really are the violent protesters, huh?
— Nikki Medoro (@NikkiMedoro) January 6, 2021
Mark Thompson and Pat Thurston both retweeted videos of police officers taking selfies with protestors, a noticeably different response than how officers acted with Black Lives Matter protestors.
Mark Thompson also tweeted the following:
Whining??? This ain’t whining…@realDonaldTrump @RudyGiuliani and Don Jr are inciting rioting. https://t.co/gHGsB42Wux
— mark thompson (@MarkTLive) January 6, 2021
This is the angry, armed, ill-informed, America.
Hostilities stoked by @FoxNews and right wing propagandists..@MariaBartiromo @LouDobbs et al.
Drunk on power and realizing they can seize a narrative and, by extension, seize power… the result is this horrifying desperation.— mark thompson (@MarkTLive) January 6, 2021