US states gripped by post-election chaos; Washington rally turns violent
Several states in the United States have been gripped by post-election protests as tensions grow over the results of a highly controversial vote that was due to elect the next occupant of the White House, with rival rallies being staged on a daily basis and police making arrests.
Thousands of supporters of Donald Trump rallied in the capital Washington on Saturday, chanting "four more years," and blaming voter fraud for the November 3 election defeat to Democratic candidate Joe Biden, which would force the current president to abandon the post after just one term.
"Hundreds of thousands of people showing their support in D.C. They will not stand for a Rigged and Corrupt Election!" Trump wrote on Twitter.
Trump, himself, expressed approval for the gathering in Washington by passing his motorcade through streets lined with supporters before rolling on to his Virginia golf club.
As night fell, violent clashes between pro-Trump demonstrators, including right-wing Proud Boys group, and counter-protesters like Black Lives Matter activists were caught on camera, with both sides attacking one another with objects and punches.
Videos posted on social media showed fistfights, projectiles thrown and club-swinging as supporters from both side clashed.
US media reports said at least 20 people were arrested during the day, including four for firearm violations and one for assault on a police officer.
In the US state of Arizona, hundreds of Trump’s supporters gathered in front of the State Capitol building in Phoenix on Saturday.
The Saturday rallies took place as the United States is grappling with some of its worst Covid-19 infection rates since the pandemic began, with more than 180,000 new cases and 1,400 deaths recorded in the country over the past 24 hours.
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