
Twitter @MichelleUgenti Video Screenshot
A pro-abortion protest escalated into a tense situation where police had to use tear gas to disperse the mob gathered outside the Arizona state Capitol.
Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, approximately 8,000 pro-abortion protesters demonstrated outside the Capitol in downtown Phoenix, according to KTAR-FM. The protest began at 7 p.m., and featured protest signs that read: "Keep your Bible off my body," "Why are old men making laws on my body" "forced birth is fascism," "You're killing us," and "my body my rage."
\u201cmany here still chanting, \u201cabortion is a human right\u201d and \u201cmy body, my choice.\u201d Here are more pictures of signs.\u201d— Taylor Kinnerup (@Taylor Kinnerup) 1656122772
Protesters amassed around the Arizona state Capitol on Friday night – when the state senate was in session.
Shortly before 9 p.m., law enforcement declared the pro-abortion protest an unlawful assembly.
Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake shared a video of the mob outside the Capitol with the caption: "The left is showing everyone what a REAL 'Insurrection' looks like right now in Downtown Phoenix. This is domestic terrorism. The Arizona national guard should have been deployed hours ago, @DougDucey Arrest these animals immediately. They are out for blood."
Republican state Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita shared a video of protesters slamming on the window.
\u201cThe left is showing everyone what a REAL \u201cInsurrection\u201d looks like right now in Downtown Phoenix.\n\nThis is domestic terrorism. The Arizona national guard should have been deployed hours ago, @DougDucey \n\nArrest these animals immediately. They are out for blood.\u201d— Kari Lake for AZ Governor (@Kari Lake for AZ Governor) 1656136738
\u201cArizona State Senate\u201d— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@Michelle Ugenti-RITA) 1656130623
Department of Public Safety troopers used tear gas to disperse the frenzied crowd outside the Capitol.
\u201c\ud83d\udea8#BREAKING: Police fire tear gas towards pro-choice protesters in Phoenix\n\n\ud83d\udccc #Phoenix l #Arizona \n\nRight now Arizona police are in riot gear clearing out the pro-choice protesters as they Fire teargas right into the crowd straight from the Capitol windows in Phoenix Arizona\u201d— R A W S A L E R T S (@R A W S A L E R T S) 1656130219
\u201cDPS used tear gas and people went running away from the Capitol. People coughing and now DPS is telling people to disperse. Protestors were banging on the Capitol windows \u2066\u2066@azfamily\u2069 \n\n#Phoenix\u201d— Michael Raimondi (@Michael Raimondi) 1656128997
Department of Public Safety told AZ Family reporter Michael Raimondi, "Our troopers were in the Senate lobby in full view of the rioters as they pounded on the glass. We believe they had every intention of getting inside the senate building."
"Troopers deployed gas outside the Senate building after protesters attempted to break the glass," the Arizona DPS stated. "The crowd then moved to the Wesley Bolin Plaza where some monuments were vandalized. Gas was deployed again to disburse [sic] the crowd."
Arizona state Republicans said, "Pro-abortion protestors violently tried to enter our building. Members/staff/visitors evacuated to a secure location."
\u201cAND THEN\u2026 Senate immediately bails out because of \u2018security situation.\u2019 Area outside Senate filled with people protesting Roe decision. They appear to have entered building.\u201d— Brahm Resnik (@Brahm Resnik) 1656127677
\u201cFeeling safe at the Capitol as I sit by 3 of my fellow senators who are armed.\u201d— Warren Petersen (@Warren Petersen) 1656133128
Arizona GOP state Senator Kelly Townsend said, "We are currently there being held hostage inside the Senate building due to members of the public trying to breach our security. We smell tear gas and the children of one of the members are in the office sobbing with fear. I expect a J24 committee to be created immediately."
Townsend later said, "Everyone is okay, and we are finishing our work."
Arizona State Republicans stated, "While the Senate is now secure & safe, unfortunately smoke/tear gas has spread into our chambers."
Senate President Karen Fann issued a statement, "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."
Kim Quintero – the Republican Caucus’ communications director – noted, "Violent pro-abortion protestors’ attempts of an insurrection at the Arizona State Senate were thwarted Friday night, thanks to the swift actions from local and state law enforcement."
There were numerous violent outbursts during pro-abortion protests in several U.S. cities on Friday night.