At least one demonstrator was arrested after a group of protesters clashed with police during an anti-Trump gathering just a block away from the White House at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC, Tuesday evening.
The Daily Mail reported that demonstrators failed to comply when Metro Police ordered them to move an illegally parked demonstration vehicle.
In a video posted on one user’s Twitter account, demonstrators and police are seen pushing each other as MPD officers yell, “Back up.” One demonstrator is then seen reaching through the line of police before being taken to the ground by multiple officers.
BREAKING: MPD Officers have made at least 1 arrest at BLM plaza for refusing to vacate the area so an illegally parked vehicle can be moved. pic.twitter.com/7cdYjxpJuS
— James Klüg (@realJamesKlug) November 3, 2020
Another video showed a line of officers clearing the way so the illegally parked truck, filled with protesters, could be relocated.
Another angle of the BLM demonstration vehicle being relocated from its illegal parking spot. pic.twitter.com/KjmxTMpNwY
— James Klüg (@realJamesKlug) November 3, 2020
In a third video posted by Twitter user James Klug, police continued to keep demonstrators back so the vehicle could be moved. “The situation here is tense,” Klug tweeted.
MPD Officers have now cleared a path for an illegally parked demonstration vehicle to leave. The situation here is tense. pic.twitter.com/MmXKf3cVMn
— James Klüg (@realJamesKlug) November 3, 2020
Twitter user Rachel Carle tweeted “Great energy in DC tonight” with a photo of a giant banner displaying the words “Remove Trump.”
Great energy in DC tonight #DCprotests pic.twitter.com/jyU9lr2zWf
— Rachel Carle (@rcarletweets) November 4, 2020
One post on Twitter showed the recently constructed fence in front of the White House covered in posters displaying obscenities, images of a Guy Fawkes mask and BLM signs.
Tour of the White House fence in front of Lafayette Square 1/2 #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/cDAHsWzeTp
— Jane Recker (@janerecker) November 3, 2020
Thousands descended on Washington, DC, on Election Day to participate in the eight-hour Shutdown DC protest. According to the event’s website, the group plans to “start this next phase of the election cycle in the streets.”
“We’ll also be watching the election results coming in on big screens,” the website stated. “Votes will still be coming in, so this will (probably) not be the time we need to create disruption to stop a coup – yet.”
