Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / Getty Images
The law enforcement officers in Phoenix, Arizona used tear gas to disperse a sizeable group of protesters in front of the Senate building from the state following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade.
“Protesters threatened to break the glass at the Senate entrance of Arizona”, tweeted the Republican senator of that state, Wendy Rogers, while the members were in the middle of voting on a series of bills.
Police tear gassed a pro-abortion protest in Phoenix last night. Protestors were banging on the doors of the Arizona Senate building so police used tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Liberals better stand up or get the fuck out of the way! #RoeVWadeprotest pic.twitter.com/4H7OJErowa—30a Infoshop (@30aInfoshop) June 25, 2022
The i Incident escalated into a “hostage” situation when lawmakers were ordered not to leave the building, Republican Sen. Kelly Townsend said.
The State Senate Republican Caucus then described the protest as an attempted “insurrection” .
“We are currently being held hostage inside the Senate building due to members of the public attempting to breach our security,” Townsend tweeted Friday night. “It smells like tear gas and the children of one of the members are in the office sobbing with fear”.
“I hope a committee is created J24 immediately,” he added, referring to the January 6 committee that is investigating the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
According to lawmakers, law enforcement officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and regain control of the building.
“The crowd was dispersed with tear gas,” added Rogers, noting that the protests were still continuing and that the situation was still “very dangerous”.
Another legislator confirmed the use of tear gas outside the building.
“While working inside, we were interrupted by the sound of explosions and the smell of tear gas,” Rep. Sarah Liguori tweeted Friday night. “The demonstrators withdrew from the Capitol.”
The crowd of protesters dispersed and lawmakers resumed their legislative agenda in a secure room.
“We’re headed to a secure room to vote,” Rogers said.
“Everyone is well and we are finishing our work”, added Townsend.
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“God bless you guys,” exclaimed Townsend.
“I feel safe on Capitol Hill as I sit next to 3 of my fellow senators who are armed,” added state legislator Warren Petersen.
In the hours following the situation, several members thanked the law enforcement officials who protected the Capitol.
“We are safe inside… God bless law enforcement.” Rodgers said.
The State Senate Republican Caucus also praised law enforcement for preventing an “insurrection.”
“Violent insurrection attempts by pro-abortion protesters in the Arizona State Senate were thwarted Friday night, thanks to the swift actions of state and local law enforcement,” said Kim Quintero, director of communications for the Republican Caucus.
The Republican group said that the “extremist demonstrations” were carried out by people who “treated of forcing their way into (the building) breaking windows and kicking down doors.”
“We are incredibly grateful for our local police who intervened quickly during what that could have been a destructive and dangerous situation for our members, staff, and public within the Senate,” said President Senate Representative Karen Fann.
Friday was the last day of session for state senators, who wrapped up a series of votes after the interruption.
The votes included a massive expansion of the state’s private school voucher system that was approved by the House earlier this week.
The US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday afternoon, effectively giving individual states the power to allow, limit, or ban the practice as they see fit.
Al Fewer 06 states previously passed so-called “trigger laws” that ban most abortions , after the decision of the superior court. These will take effect immediately or within weeks of Roe v. Wade. These states include Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research group.
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