LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The U.S. Capitol was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon as demonstrators got past law enforcement and breached the building during a joint session to confirm Joe Biden as the next president of the United States.
Hundreds of demonstrators initially stormed barricades at the moment Congress was beginning that session to accept the Electoral College votes confirming President-elect Biden’s presidential election win. The session was subsequently halted.
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Several Nevada lawmakers have reacted to the unrest seen in DC, including Rep. Steven Horsford being evacuated from his office.
We have been evacuated from our office in the Cannon House Office Building. Awaiting further instructions from Capitol Police.
— Rep. Steven Horsford (@RepHorsford) January 6, 2021
Rep. Horsford later sent out a statement calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Read the full statement here.
The group took to the U.S. Capitol following a speech from President Donald Trump to his supporters at a March to Save America Rally.
#LIVE: President Donald Trump speaks at #MarchtoSaveAmerica Rally. Watch -- https://t.co/yUcaYh3sac pic.twitter.com/mFmqZhUiyq
— KTNV 13 Action News (@KTNV) January 6, 2021
The former US Senator Harry Reid released the following statement on his Twitter account:
Here's my statement on the violence in Washington, D.C., today: pic.twitter.com/iWEUf1gmRh
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) January 6, 2021
Members of Congress inside the House chamber were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda amid skirmishes by supporters of President Trump.
PHOTOS: Massive protest in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Dina Titus reported on her Twitter account that she was sheltering in place while "lawless domestic terrorists are attempting to destroy our democracy."
As I shelter in place, lawless domestic terrorists encouraged by the President of the United States are attempting to destroy our democracy. They will not succeed.
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 6, 2021
Sen. Jacky Rosen called the actions seen in DC "violent attacks" and what is being seen is "reprehensible." Rosen also wrote on social media that she and her team were safe and "grateful" for the Capitol police.
The violent attacks we are seeing on our democracy today are reprehensible.
It’s time for us as a nation to come together and denounce hate and violence.
Together, we will overcome and rebuild our nation.
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) January 6, 2021
Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodei called Wednesday's actions "shameful" while reporting all of his staff were safe.
January 6, 2021: History made today for all the wrong reasons. Shameful. All our Washington staff are safe.
— RepMarkAmodei (@MarkAmodeiNV2) January 6, 2021
Rep. Susie Lee wrote "this is an attack on democracy itself" on her social media account while sharing she and her staff were safe amid.
My staff & I are safe. We are waiting for law enforcement to secure the area, and I’m grateful to Capitol Police for protecting us and our democratic institutions.
This is an attack on democracy itself. All the violent rhetoric and conspiracy theories. This is what we feared.
— Rep. Susie Lee (@RepSusieLee) January 6, 2021
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak objected to the chaos seen at the Capitol Tweeting the actions are "the opposite of patriotic" and he was "praying for the safety of Nevada's federal delegation, all congressional members and staff and law enforcement officers."
The chaos that has erupted in the United States Capitol is the opposite of patriotic -- it is undemocratic and un-American. I am praying for the safety of Nevada's federal delegation, all congressional members and staff, & law enforcement officers. This must stop.
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) January 6, 2021
Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto called what she is seeing in DC "unacceptable" and condemned the violence.
The events at the U.S. Capitol are un-American and unacceptable. I’m thankful for the Capitol Police who are working hard to ensure that we all stay safe. I condemn this violence in every way possible.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) January 6, 2021
A Stop The Steal event was also held Wednesday morning to support President Donald Trump in Las Vegas.
Participants began arriving at the Ahern Hotel on Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard around 7 a.m. The group said part of their plan was to drive down Las Vegas Boulevard to the federal courthouse downtown.
Stay with 13 Action News for updates on this developing story
