Violence erupts as Trump supporters, counter-demonstrators clash in Washington

Supporters of US President Donald Trump have fought on the streets of Washington, DC with counter-demonstrators.

This was reported on Sunday November 15, 2020, with several fistfights, at least one stabbing and 20 people arrested.

Several other cities on Saturday also saw gatherings of Trump supporters unwilling to accept Democrat Joe Biden’s Electoral College and popular vote victory as legitimate.

Cries of “Stop the Steal” and “Count Every Vote” continued despite a lack of evidence of voter fraud or other problems that could reverse the result.

After night fell, the relatively peaceful demonstrations in Washington turned from tense to violent. Videos posted on social media showed fistfights, projectiles thrown and club-swinging as Trump supporters clashed with those demanding they leave.

“A variety of charges, including assault and weapons possession, were filed against those arrested,” officials said.

“Two police officers were injured and several firearms were recovered by police.

“One person was stabbed and rushed to a trauma centre,” a spokeswoman for the city fire and emergency medical services department said.

The Washington Post newspaper reported the stabbing occurred amid a melee between Trump supporters – some carrying batons – and counter-protesters that broke out about 8pm (01:00 GMT)

Trump himself had given an approving nod to the gathering on Saturday morning by dispatching his motorcade through streets lined with supporters before rolling on to his Virginia golf club.

People chanted “USA, USA” and “four more years” and many carried American flags and signs to show their displeasure with the vote tally and insistence that, as Trump has baselessly asserted, fraud was the reason.