Department of Public Safety officers fired tear gas munitions from the balcony windows of the Arizona Capitol late in the evening of June 24th after it was surrounded by countless pro-abortion protesters. The dramatic scene began with signs and chanting and rose to a climax with protesters…now rioters banging on the windows and sliding doors and trying to break them down to breach the Arizona Capitol while the legislature was in session, according to DPS– which prompted the Senate to go into recess.
WATCH: Chaotic scenes during pro-choice rally at the Arizona Capitol, forcing the Senate to go into recess pic.twitter.com/9xk257UsJF
— BNN Newsroom (@BNNBreaking) June 25, 2022
Senator Kelly Townsend live-tweeted during the crisis from inside the Senate,
“We are currently there being held hostage inside the Senate building due to members of the public trying to breach our security. We smell teargas and the children of one of the members are in the office sobbing with fear. I expect a J24 committee to be created immediately.”
“Appalling to hear some Democrats defending those outside trying to break the glass and breach security. “This is a public building, and they wouldn’t let them in.” However another Democrat mad as heck for them scaring the children in the building.”
Just a few peaceful protesters on #J24 pic.twitter.com/RW1iKXLYpB
— Senator Kelly Townsend 🇺🇸 (@AZKellyT) June 26, 2022
“Senate immediately bails out because of ‘security situation.’ Area outside Senate filled with people protesting Roe decision. They appear to have entered building,”12 News press reporter Brahm Resnik tweeted with a video from the Senate chamber.
AND THEN… Senate immediately bails out because of ‘security situation.’ Area outside Senate filled with people protesting Roe decision. They appear to have entered building. pic.twitter.com/scZfijFz4G
— Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) June 25, 2022
State Senate assembles in a hearing room to continue work on major water legislation because the fumes from tear gas outside is too thick in their chambers. Police fired tear gas after people at an abortion rally pounded on doors and windows pic.twitter.com/wJHIcpqidz
— Mary Jo Pitzl (@maryjpitzl) June 25, 2022
State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita posted videos from inside the building, though it did not appear that any protesters had in fact made it inside.
Arizona State Senate pic.twitter.com/0acGnDf5Y4
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) June 25, 2022
According to a report from AZ Family, “the rally started at 7 p.m. on Friday. The protesters then marched around the Capitol grounds. Many of them held up signs saying ‘Abort SCOTUS,’ and ‘Bans off our bodies.’ They also chanted ‘My body, my choice.’ The protest was peaceful for most of the night, even with a few counterprotesters who arrived and displayed crucifixes.”
The scene altered around 8:45 p.m. local time, when the protesters increased to the structure and tried to acquire entry, according to DPS.
🚨#BREAKING: Police fire tear gas towards pro-choice protesters in Phoenix
Right now Arizona police are in riot gear clearing out the pro-choice protesters as they Fire teargas right into the crowd straight from the Capitol windows in Phoenix Arizona pic.twitter.com/DuwFA08zKU
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 25, 2022
NOW: Flash bangs and tear gas used outside the Arizona State Capitol as protestors were gathered. An unlawful assembly has been declared. @12News pic.twitter.com/XJAnGal7cU
— Bianca Buono (@BiancaBuono) June 25, 2022
An unlawful assembly was stated minutes later.
Here’s the moment DPS fired off tear gas to disperse the left-wing rioters trying to break inside the Arizona state capitol. The tear gas quickly cleared the area. pic.twitter.com/KGDDZoEyov
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 25, 2022
The officers wound up releasing tear gas, which successfully dispersed the rioting mob.
Local 12 News reporter Bianca Buono tweeted a declaration from DPS which explained, “Troopers deployed gas outside the Senate building after protesters attempted to break the glass. The crowd then moved to the Wesley Bolin Plaza where some monuments were vandalized. Gas was deployed again to disburse the crowd.”
H/T Timcast