"Last night, anti-life radicals converged on the Arizona Senate and attempted to disrupt our work with terror and violence," Arizona Sen. Wendy Rogers (R) noted on her blog.
"They repeatedly attempted to breach the perimeter and enter the building but law enforcement bravely stood their ground and saved the day. Below is a summary of the events, along with on-the-scene video footage of the insurrection," she added, going on to heap further praise on officers.
She also live-tweeted about the siege.
"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," she wrote, adding: "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."
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
"We are safe inside… God bless law enforcement," Rogers wrote in another tweet that contained video clips of some of the mayhem.
We are safe inside… God bless law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/nEAIyqilJt
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) June 25, 2022
"DPS is working to get the situation under control outside. Sergeant at Arms says the mob is spray painting monuments and lighting fires. We are headed to a secure room to go vote. Very dangerous outside," she added in another tweet.
DPS is working to get the situation under control outside.
Sergeant at Arms says the mob is spray painting monuments and lighting fires.
We are headed to a secure room to go vote.
Very dangerous outside.
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) June 25, 2022
"Protesters are a mix of anti-life protesters, anti-education choice protestors and Antifa. MANY DPS officers on the scene taking care of business," Rogers continued in another update.
Protesters are a mix of anti-life protesters, anti-education choice protestors and Antifa. MANY DPS officers on the scene taking care of business.
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) June 25, 2022
A statement issued by the Arizona Senate also summed up what was taking place:
Violent pro-abortion protestors attempts of an insurrection at the Arizona State Senate were thwarted Friday night, thanks to the swift action from local and state law enforcement.
While Arizona State Senate members were wrapping up passing important legislation for the session, extremist demonstrators made their way to the entrance of the Senate building and began forcibly trying to make entry by breaking windows and pushing down doors.
Law enforcement monitoring this situation called for backup and were able to disperse the crowd with tear gas before entry was made. As this terrifying situation unfolded, Senate President Karen Fann called a recess so that Senators, staff and the public in attendance could evacuate to a secure location. Once the premises were secured, those inside the building were able to return to the Senate chambers. Unfortunately, the system that circulates the air through the facility pulled some of the smoke or tear gas into the Senate chambers, making the air quality unhealthy for anyone to return.
In response, Senate proceedings were moved to another room of the building so that Senators could continue carrying out the people’s work.
“We are incredibly thankful for our local law enforcement who quickly intervened during what could have been a destructive and dangerous situation for our members, staff and public inside the Senate,” said Senate President Karen Fann.
“Violence is never the answer, and we will not camouflage what was a blatant attempt at an insurrection as a ‘rally’ or ‘peaceful protest.’ We are calling on all state lawmakers to condemn these acts. There is a way to make your voice heard and violence is never the answer.”
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
