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Violent Certification: How Pro-Trump Protests in DC Turned Into Chaos as Capitol Building Stormed

Sputnik

Pro-Trump protests opposing the certification of results by the US Congress stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday, occupying the House and Senate chambers, damaging property, amid an armed standoff with law enforcement agents.

One person was shot dead during the confrontation, three others died from "medical emergencies". At least 52 arrests have been made.

House Representatives and Senate members were temporarily urged to take shelter before reconvening to go on with the vote certification procedure.

Check out Sputnik gallery to find out more about the violent events that took place on Wednesday evening. 

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Trump supporters break into the Capitol Building on Wednesday to clash with law enforcement officers.

Above: A protester gestures to US Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, 6 January 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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Protests had started peacefully as pro-Trump demonstrators called upon the legislators not to certify the 3 November results they defined as "fraudulent".

Above: A protester holds a sign saying "We want a fair election" at a rally in support of US President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, US, 6 January 2021. (REUTERS/Terray Sylvester)
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Demonstrators protest outside US Capitol Building in Washington to contest the certification of the 2020 presidential election results by the US Congress, 6 January 2021.
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President Donald Trump told the crowd of supporters outside the White House on Wednesday that he was "never" going to concede the election.
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The US president maintained through social media that the protests should remain peaceful, but his Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & Snapchat accounts have now been suspended.
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Lawmakers shelter in the House gallery as protesters are breaking into the House Chamber at the US Capitol.
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Above: US Capitol Police hold protesters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the US Capitol on Wednesday, 6 January 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, 6 January 2021, at the Capitol in Washington.
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A number of Republican lawmakers who initially vowed to oppose the certification of results, including Senator Kelly Loeffler, have now reversed their decision following the eruption of violence.
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Above: Police officers are seen clashing with pro-Trump protesters, during a rally to contest the certification of presidential election results.
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Above: Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the US Capitol on Wednesday, 6 January 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Above: A cloud of tear gas seen during clashes with Capitol police at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by the US Congress, at the US Capitol Building in Washington, US, January 6, 2021. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
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Above: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., listens as a joint session of the House and Senate reconvenes to confirm the Electoral College votes at the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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Above: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks in the House Chamber after they reconvened for arguments over the objection of certifying Arizona’s Electoral College votes in November’s election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
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Above: An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of US President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington. (REUTERS/Leah Millis)
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One woman, identified as 14-year military veteran Ashli Babbit from San Diego, California, was shot during the confrontation inside the Capitol building and later died at a local hospital.
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Above: An injured supporter of President Trump is seen bleeding during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the US Congress.
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