The Arizona Senate was evacuated Friday night after pro-choice rioters and teachers protesting an education funding bill breached building security at the Capitol. Police fired tear gas from windows in the Capitol in a effort to control the mob. Video screen images show protesters entered the Senate chamber.
Wild video by Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita shows screaming mob banging on the doors while an officer warns a senator to hide.
Arizona Capitol pic.twitter.com/sf8UcFvByD
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) June 25, 2022
Kristy Dohnel, communications director for the Arizona Republican Party, “The AZ State Senate is currently evacuating the Capitol. Please pray for their safety…Protesters have broken into the Capitol— Senate voting was in process”
Protesters have broken into the Capitol— Senate voting was in process
— Kristy Dohnel (@kristydohnelAZ) June 25, 2022
Video of Senate abruptly evacuating:
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
Screen images of protesters taking over the Senate chamber.
#HB2853 Teachers invaded the Arizona Senate Floor. #Education #Arizona pic.twitter.com/tDiWeOirKL
— David Redkey, M.Ed. (@DavidRedkey) June 25, 2022
Police firing tear gas from the Capitol:
Firing teargas right into the crowd straight from the Capitol windows https://t.co/XeZ59XVotJ pic.twitter.com/NwBtpTrSCt
— AZ Right Wing Watch (@az_rww) June 25, 2022
Law enforcement is using tear gas after protesters began banging on the the state senate building pic.twitter.com/qkUDjHRrSs
— Perry Vandell 🌵 (@PerryVandell) 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
People inside the building were terrified.
Senator Kelly Townsend, “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.”
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.
— Senator Kelly Townsend 🇺🇸 (@AZKellyT) June 25, 2022
Reporter Camryn Sanchez, “Abortion protest tried to get into the senate and we locked down but I think everyone is safe…Update: we can’t leave, but as far as I know everyone who was inside is safe. Just a tear gas smell. Still hoping to sine die tonight according to Fann”
Update: we can’t leave, but as far as I know everyone who was inside is safe. Just a tear gas smell. Still hoping to sine die tonight according to Fann
— Camryn Sanchez (@CamrynSanchezAZ) June 25, 2022
Senator T.J. Shope called the situation a riot, “Good! The situation was escalating beyond control and was no longer a “peaceful protest” but a riot that was endangering the safety of everyone inside the Senate and House of Representatives buildings”
Good! The situation was escalating beyond control and was no longer a “peaceful protest” but a riot that was endangering the safety of everyone inside the Senate and House of Representatives buildings. #AZLeg https://t.co/VQgM8YnCyV
— T.J. Shope (@TJShopeforAZ) June 25, 2022
Senator Wendy Rogers, “ossible AZ Senate security breach. Education protesters threatened to break the AZ Senate entryway glass. We assembled to take tunnel to the House. Crowd was dispersed w/ tear gas. Went back up into the Senate. /1…Senate building IS secure. No exiting due to tear gas. We still have six bills to vote on. Tear gas odor remnant in Senate chamber. /2”
Senate building IS secure. No exiting due to tear gas.
We still have six bills to vote on. Tear gas odor remnant in Senate chamber. /2
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) June 25, 2022
Police line inside Capitol.
Arizona State Senate pic.twitter.com/0acGnDf5Y4
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) June 25, 2022
UPDATE from Arizona Senate Republicans, “Public update: pro-abortion protestors violently tried to enter our building. Members/staff/visitors evacuated to a secure location. Law enforcement intervened. Protestors dispersed. While the Senate is now secure & safe, unfortunately smoke/tear gas has spread into our chambers…Nonetheless, we are improvising and moving to another area of our building to finish the people’s work and finish voting on our final bills of this legislative session.”
Nonetheless, we are improvising and moving to another area of our building to finish the people’s work and finish voting on our final bills of this legislative session.
— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) June 25, 2022
We will always find a way to do the work for the people. #AZSenate pic.twitter.com/gcpet7Ifyu
— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) June 25, 2022
via thegatewaypundit
