Incensed pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to tear down a protective barrier outside of the White House on Saturday night. Footage from the scene has gone viral, showing rioters trying to snap the fence and hurling projectiles at police officers and Secret Service agents on the other side. Many members in the crowd screamed and chanted “f**k Joe Biden.”
According to initial reports, nonessential White House staff were evacuated. One observer claimed to see several sharpshooters on the building's roof.
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
Some protesters chanted, “Hands off Yemen,” in reference to last week's airstrikes by a U.S.-led coalition against Houthi terrorists. The Houthis have repeatedly attacked merchant shipping, threatening access to the Red Sea. If successful, their attacks could reduce global shipping capacity by 20%.
Security was not immediately able to repair the damaged fence and had to attach makeshift clamps.
The protest started relatively calm hours before at D.C.'s Freedom Plaza where chants of “Biden, Biden you're a liar, we demand a ceasefire” and “bloody Blinken, genocide Joe, both of them have got to go,” were frequently heard.
Blinken calls accusations that Israel is committing genocide “meritless.”
“It is particularly galling given that those who are attacking Israel – Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and their backer Iran – openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews,” he said on Wednesday, speaking at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
Conservative journalist Julio Rosas shared additional photos and videos from the scene. At one point, D.C. police and Secret Service had to scramble to reinforce a weakened portion of the fence to prevent a breach.
It took hours for the crowd to disperse. Afterward, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith issued a self-aggrandizing press release devoid of reality.
“Today, the District of Columbia welcomed many visitors who came to make their voices heard,” Smith began. “The right to peacefully protest is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and the Metropolitan Police Department has long supported those who visit our city to demonstrate safely. However, violence, destructive behavior, and criminal activities are not tolerated.”
She continued, “While a majority of today's demonstration remained peaceful, there were instances of illegal and destructive behavior in Lafayette Park, including items being thrown at our officers. We are supporting our partners at the United States Park Police as they investigate and hold those found responsible accountable for their actions.”
President Biden was not at the White House Saturday night, having traveled to Camp David earlier in the day.
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