(WWJ) Lawmakers from Michigan were forced into hiding, as protestors stormed the US Capitol in Washington DC, breaching the congressional chambers.
Supporters of President Donald Trump successfully disrupted the process Wednesday as lawmakers counted Electoral College votes certifying President-elect Joe Biden's win.
Congressional offices were evacuated, and members sheltered in place, as an armed standoff with Capitol Police took place outside the House of Representatives.
Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950, Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence said she was on the House floor listening to testimony when Capitol Police rushed in.
"They let us know that they had, that the mob had stormed the Capitol and they were in Sanctuary Hall," Lawrence, of Detroit, said. "They locked all the doors and told us they were on their way to the chamber, and to get on the floor, and be prepared to shelter on the floor behind the seats and in the chamber."
"Then they told us they were on their way, and that they had to use tear gas in Sanctuary Hall, and to put our gas masks on. Oh my god," she said. "Then you could hear this mob banging on the door, trying to break the door down."
Saying she's thankful she got to safety, Lawrence called it a "horrific day."
Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who was also on the floor when it happened, said in a text message that she was escorted to undisclosed location. She added: "Threats still very real shot at."
Speaking live on WWJ later in the day, Dingell said she hopes these troubling events serve as a wake up call. She said many people are calling the siege "an act of terror," and that it won't stop Congress from doing its job to certify the election.
"I just hope that everybody in America looks at what we saw this afternoon in our nation's capital, and wonders if that's the America that they grew up with, and if that's the democracy that they love."
Rep. Jack Bergman, serving Michigan's 1st Congressional District, tweeted:
"I’ve said it dozens of times in the past few years - I support every American’s right to peacefully protest, but violence and attacks on our police have no place on our streets, or in our Capitol."
"What we are seeing is disgraceful," he wrote.
Rep. Dan Kildee, of Michigan's 5th District, tweeted to let his constitutes know he was OK.
"I have been evacuated from the House Chambers and have been escorted to an alternate, safe location. This is a dark moment for the history of our country. Praying for an end to the violence and safety for everyone in the Capitol."
"I am in the House Chambers. We have been instructed to lie down on the floor and put on our gas masks. Chamber security and Capitol Police have their guns drawn as protesters bang on the front door of the chamber."
"This is not a protest. This is an attack on America."
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He later updated, "I am safe and in the House Chamber. Protesters breached the U.S. Capitol building and forced the House and Senate chambers to go into recess."
"The President and every single Republican who incited and encouraged this behavior must denounce it immediately."
Former Michigan Congressman Paul Mitchell called this, "the saddest day in the modern political history of our nation, adding, "The implications of the actions of @realDonaldTrump and his minions for our nation are troubling. I am heartsick."
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An FBI SWAT team was called in. As short time later, the National Guard in DC was mobilized.
Meanwhile, President Trump — whose opponents blame for inciting protesters' actions — called for calm.
In a video message, Trump continued to assert that he won the November election in a "landslide," and the election was "stolen" — but told his supporters to stand down anyway.
He stressed the importance of "peace" and "law and order" and said "we don't want anybody hurt."
"So go home. We love you. You're very special," the president said. "...I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace."
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More than a dozen arrests were made; reportedly including some people from Michigan. There were no reports of any lawmakers injured, but at least one person, a woman, was fatally shot.
Officials declared the US Capitol "secure" nearly four hours after the breach.
Shortly before 6 p.m., police were using tear gas and percussion grenades to begin clearing protesters from the Capitol grounds ahead of a curfew in Washington.
Meanwhile, a protest Wednesday in Lansing remained peaceful. About 300 supporters of President Trump gathered outside the Michigan Capitol, some carried holstered handguns and rifles, with other carried signs with the messages: "TRUMP WON!! 2020" and "STOP THE STEAL."
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for continuing live coverage.
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