World News – US – Trump supporters converge on voting centers in Michigan, Arizona

(AP) – Dozens of angry President Donald Trump supporters converged on counting centers in Detroit and Phoenix as returns clashed in the two key states on Wednesday, while Thousands of anti-Trump protesters demanding a full count of ballots in the still undecided election took to the streets of cities across the US

« Stop counting! » Trump supporters chanted in Detroit « Stop the theft! » they told Phoenix

The protests took place as the president insisted without evidence that there were major problems with voting and counting, particularly with postal votes, and as Republicans filed suit in various states during the election

Dressed in Trump gear, protesters in Phoenix filled much of the parking lot at the Maricopa County Electoral Center, and members of the crowd chanted, « Fox News sucks! » angry with network declaring Joe Biden the winner in Arizona

Representative Paul Gosar, Arizona Republican and staunch supporter of Trump, joined the crowd, declaring: « We are not going to let this election be stolen Period »

However, observers from the two main political parties were inside the electoral center as the ballots were processed and counted, and the proceedings were streamed live online at all times.

Several sheriff’s deputies blocked the entrance to the building and the count continued into the night, said Maricopa County Elections Department spokeswoman Megan Gilbertson

Two senior county officials – one Democrat, the other Republican – released a statement expressing concern over the spread of misinformation about the integrity of the electoral process

« Everyone should wish that all votes were counted, whether they were mailed or cast in person, » said the statement signed by Clint Hickman, GOP chairman of the County Oversight Council. Maricopa, and Democratic Supervisor Steve Gallardo « Precise voting takes time It’s proof of democracy, not fraud »

Meanwhile, from New York to Seattle, thousands of protesters have come to demand that every vote be counted

In Portland, Oregon, which has been the scene of regular protests for months, Gov Kate Brown called the National Guard as protesters engaged in what authorities described as widespread violence in the downtown area, including broken windows Protesters in Portland were protesting over a range of issues, including police brutality and vote counting

« It is important to have faith in the process and system that has ensured free and fair elections in this country over the decades, even in times of great crisis, » Brown said in a statement. « We’re all in there »

Richard March came to anti-Trump protest in Portland despite heart disease that left him vulnerable to COVID-19

“Doubting this election has terrible consequences for our democracy,” he said. “I think we are a very polarized society now – and I’m worried about what will happen in the days to come. , the weeks and months to come « 

In New York City, hundreds of people marched past closed luxury stores on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, and in Chicago, protesters marched through downtown and along one street to the other side of the river from Trump Tower

Similar protests – sometimes over elections, sometimes over racial inequalities – have taken place in at least half a dozen cities, including Los Angeles, Houston, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and San Diego

The showdown in Detroit began shortly before The Associated Press says Biden won Michigan

Video shot by local media showed angry people gathered outside the TCF center and inside the lobby, with police lined up to prevent them from entering the counting area They chanted: « Stop the count! » and « Stop the vote! »

Previously, the Republican campaign had filed a lawsuit to stop the count, demanding that the Michigan Democratic Secretary of State allow more inspectors

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Democrat, insisted that both parties and the public had access to the tally, « using a strong system of checks and balances to ensure that all ballots are counted fairly and accurately »

Michigan has been out of breath for months over fears of political violence Anti-government protesters openly carried guns on the State Capitol during protests against coronavirus restrictions in the spring, and six men have arrested last month for conspiracy to kidnap Democratic government Gretchen Whitmer

On election night, scattered protests erupted after voting ended, stretching from Washington, DC to Seattle, but there was no widespread unrest or significant violence

The protracted task of counting this year’s deluge of mail-in votes has raised fears that lack of clarity in the presidential race could spark unrest

Protest, Donald Trump, US Presidential Election, 2020