Plans to clear protesters near the White House had been in place for days before then-President Donald Trump appeared at Lafayette Square with a Bible, according to an Interior Department inspector general report
WASHINGTON—U.S. Park Police officers who forcibly cleared protesters from Lafayette Square near the White House last year were acting on a prior plan unrelated to the June 1 appearance there by then President Donald Trump, according to an Interior Department inspector general report., released Wednesday, found that officers were implementing a plan agreed upon days earlier to install fencing and protect officers, some of whom had been injured in ongoing conflicts with protesters. Mr.
The inspector general found that Park Police officers deployed pepper balls and stinger ball grenades, which dispel rubber pellets, after protesters attacked and threw objects at officers or didn’t comply with an order to disperse. Contrary to instructions from Park Police commanders, Metropolitan Police officers also fired tear gas at protesters as they moved away from the park and Bureau of Prison officials fired pepper spray, the inspector general found.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said officers deployed tear gas in response to assaults from protesters. The Bureau of Prisons didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Communication issues also led to confusion, the report found, as not all the protesters could hear officers’ orders to disperse. The Park Police and Secret Service also didn’t use a shared radio channel to communicate, according to the report.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Officers Violently Cleared Protesters From Lafayette Square To Install Fences, Not For Trump's Photo Op, Investigators SaidThe violent dispersal of protesters outside the White House just as Trump was getting ready for a now-infamous photo op was a defining moment in his presidency.
Read more »
Activists again use cars, trash cans to barricade George Floyd square after crews clear area'We are collectively committed to establishing a permanent memorial at the intersection, preserving the artwork, and making the area an enduring space for racial healing,' a joint statement from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and two city council members from last week said.
Read more »
Mitt Romney: It's unacceptable Microsoft censored Tiananmen Square images in AmericaSenator Mitt Romney wants answers from Microsoft after the company blocked images and videos around the world of 'Tank Man,' the unidentified protester during China's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.
Read more »
Foo Fighters to Ring Concerts Back In at Madison Square Garden With 100% Capacity June ShowDave Grohl is determined to be at the forefront of some post-quarantine firsts. Foo Fighters played the first Los Angeles stadium show of the pandemic era, with a closing set at the filming of &82…
Read more »
Foo Fighters to Play First Full-Capacity Madison Square Garden Show This MonthFoo Fighters will reopen NYC's iconic Madison Square Garden with its first full-capacity show since March 2020
Read more »