PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – A protest with thousands of people in support of abortion rights at the Arizona Capitol ended when Department of Public Safety agents used tear gas to disperse the crowd Friday night. Around 8:45 p.m., protesters were knocking on Arizona Senate windows and trying to break the glass, DPS said. In a video tweeted by Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita, bangs could be heard while hundreds of people were outside the building. Someone is seen kicking the closed doors of the building from the outside. It was then that tear gas was deployed and the crowd dispersed. Witnesses outside the building have said tear gas was used without warning. DPS said the gas was deployed again in Wesley Bolin Square after the crowd vandalized a monument.
Protesters began to gather peacefully at 7 p.m. Then they marched through the precincts of the Capitol. Many of them carried signs that said “Abortion SCOTUS” and “Prohibit our bodies.” They also chanted “My body, my choice.” The protest was peaceful for most of the night, even with a few counter-protesters arriving and showing crucifixes. Police with riot gear were then seen inside the Senate building, with protesters still outside and in the courtyard between the Senate and the House of Representatives about an hour and a half after the rally began. Then began the knocks on the windows and doors of the Senate. Witness video shows soldiers, who were at the Arizona Capitol Museum, throwing tear gas at the plaza. Once the tear gas was fired, the protesters dispersed. Some fire crews showed up to help those who had severe reactions to the gas.
A new video from a witness shows the moments when the DPS fired tear gas at the crowd against protesters at the Arizona Capitol.
During this time, the Senate was still in session, voting on the expansion of school vouchers. After the vote, Karen Fann cleaned up the Senate, citing a “security situation.” Then the soldiers used tear gas. Officials said the Senate building was not broken into. The senators went to their chambers. “We are incredibly grateful for our local law enforcement that intervened quickly during what could have been a destructive and dangerous situation for our members, staff and the public within the Senate,” said Senate President Karen Fann. in a statement. The state Senate then met in a courtroom to continue its work.
Most protesters are frustrated with Friday’s court decision to overturn Roe v. This opens the door for states to draft their own abortion laws, and protesters consider Arizona law, which is expected to go into effect in 90 days, to be too restrictive. The law prohibits abortion after 15 weeks. One protester said he did not give women enough time to know if they are pregnant. “Many women do not know they are pregnant until they are two or three months pregnant. So when we find out it’s going to be too late to have an abortion, “said Celina Martinez-Ashburn. Fifteen weeks is almost four months. In a poll last month, 87% of Arizona voters support some form. of legalized abortion and only 13% say it should be illegal in all circumstances.
A pro-election protest at the Arizona Capitol broke out when DPS soldiers used tear gas.
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