Late Friday night and early Saturday morning, lawmakers were warned not to leave the Arizona state house as protestors gathered outside the facility and created a “hostage” situation.
“Violent anti-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,” the Arizona State Senate said in a news release.
State Senator Wendy Rogers of Arizona tweeted, “Protesters threatened to break the AZ Senate entryway glass.”
Fox News reports that police used tear gas to disperse protestors and regain control of the premises.
State Senator Kelly Townsend posted on Twitter, “We are currently there being held hostage inside the Senate building due to members of the public trying to breach our security.”
State Senator Warren Peterson stated that a number of his colleagues were armed.
Feeling safe at the Capitol as I sit by 3 of my fellow senators who are armed. pic.twitter.com/N300F9JAVl
— Warren Petersen (@votewarren) June 25, 2022
One Senator compared the violence to the 6 January 2021 invasion of the United States Capitol.
She tweeted, “I expect a J24 committee to be created immediately.”
According to a news release from the Arizona State Senate, “Extremist demonstrators made their way to the entrance of the Senate building and began forcibly trying to make entry by breaking down windows and pushing down doors.”
WATCH: Chaotic scenes during pro-choice rally at the Arizona Capitol, forcing the Senate to go into recess pic.twitter.com/9xk257UsJF
— BNN Newsroom (@BNNBreaking) June 25, 2022
More on this story via Daily Caller:
According to the press release, the air circulation system in the building pulled the tear gas deployed on the demonstrators into the Senate chambers, preventing lawmakers from returning to the Senate floor.
“Senate proceedings were moved to another room in the building.”
Senate President Karen Fann thanked law enforcement for responding quickly to the situation.
“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,” Fann said.