Protesters swarmed Lafayette Square across the street from the White House on Tuesday ahead of the presidential election results.
Draped across the street is a sign held up by demonstrators, “Trump lies all the time.”
Protesters outside the White House hold up a "TRUMP LIES ALL THE TIME" sign. pic.twitter.com/1vpjq9XSCK
— The Recount (@therecount) November 4, 2020
Large groups of protesters have assembled outside the White House. pic.twitter.com/uFA8p0slCS
— The Recount (@therecount) November 4, 2020
Cities are preparing for the possibility of civil unrest following the results of the election.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) told reporters state officials are preparing for possible protests, as IJR previously reported.
“Everybody’s prepared, but we’ll see how the night goes, but everybody’s taking that very very seriously – not just here in California, but all across the country,” Newsom said.
He added:
“And I can assure you, we’re taking it very seriously, at all levels. We’ve been working with federal partners for a number of months now candidly, sharing information. And obviously working with local and county partners in anticipation that there may be protests. Most, we believe, will be very peaceful and appropriate.”
Newsom stressed officials are “obviously preparing for those that may get out of control.”
Washington D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham encouraged Americans to practice their right to peacefully protest.
“It’s unclear if we’ll have a result even tonight, maybe not until later in the week. So, it’s a little, you know, we’re not really sure what’s going to happen,” Newsham said.
Watch his remarks below:
RIGHT NOW: I just interviewed DC Police Chief Peter Newsham near the White House about election night.
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) November 3, 2020
He says this election is “tricky” compared to other elections. #ElectionDay #Election2020 @nbcwashington @MSNBC @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/04FbJIbzhr
He continued, “We have the entire police department working, the metropolitan police department’s the best department in the country for handling these types of demonstrations. We invite anybody that wants to come down here [to] exercise their first amendment right.”
“We welcome them to come enjoy themselves and we just ask them not to be involved in any violent behavior, control your emotions. We have a responsibility, if you do break the law, we’re going to make every effort to take you into custody,” he added.
