The Arizona Capitol Building in Phoenix was evacuated late Friday night after far-left protesters stormed the building. As the Arizona Senate was in session, far-left protesters chanting “my body, my choice” descended on the building and attempted to force their way inside. The building was soon evacuated.
In a video shared by Arizona State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita, scores of far-left protesters can be seen banging on windows and attempting to gain entry to the building. In a follow-up video, police in riot gear can be seen inside the building.
Arizona Capitol pic.twitter.com/sf8UcFvByD
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) June 25, 2022
Arizona State Senate pic.twitter.com/0acGnDf5Y4
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) June 25, 2022
Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers deployed tear gas and flash bangs in an effort to deter the far-left mob. At around 8:45 p.m. local time, protesters were banging on the windows of the Arizona Senate and trying to break the glass, DPS said.
Tear gas was deployed at this time, which forced the crowd to disperse. DPS officers again deployed tear gas after the mob vandalized a monument at nearby at Wesley Bolin Plaza, the department said.
According to KTVK, the pro-abortion rally started around 7 p.m. local time. The protesters then marched around Capitol grounds, holding signs reading “abort SCOTUS” and “my body, my choice,” among various other slogans.
As the mob gathered outside the Arizona Capitol, the Senate was voting on a school vouchers program. After the vote, Senate President Karen Fann cleared the floor, citing a “security 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 in a statement.
“Protesters are a mix of anti-life protesters, anti-education choice protestors and Antifa,” wrote Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers in a tweet. “MANY DPS officers on the scene taking care of business.”
Protesters are a mix of anti-life protesters, anti-education choice protestors and Antifa. MANY DPS officers on the scene taking care of business.
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) June 25, 2022
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation in March that will ban abortions in the state after 15 weeks. It is set to take effect this fall.
