On Friday, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Arizona Senate was shut down temporarily due to protesters.
A Planned Parenthood protest began at 6 p.m. Friday at the Arizona Capitol – an hour ahead of a protest by the Phoenix Party for Socialism and Liberation and the Phoenix branch of Radical Women.
Breaking: Protestors in the lobby of Arizona Legislature reports of tear gas deployed and personnel being evacuated.
— Sergio Arellano (@SurgeArellano) June 25, 2022
According to sources, DPS troopers used gas canisters and flash bangs to disperse the crowd.
Arizona Capitol pic.twitter.com/sf8UcFvByD
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) June 25, 2022
We are currently there being held hostage inside the Senate building due to members of the public trying to breach our security. We smell teargas and the children of one of the members are in the office sobbing with fear. I expect a J24 committee to be created immediately.
— Senator Kelly Townsend 🇺🇸 (@AZKellyT) June 25, 2022
“I am beyond impressed with our DPS officers who responded brilliantly to the attempted breach of security at the Arizona State Senate,” State senator Kelly Townsend told the Arizona Daily Independent. “This is why we do not defund the police.”
Riots at the Capitol caused us to evacuate the Senate floor. Law enforcement contained the crowd with tear gas and we have now moved to a hearing room to finish our business. We will do voice votes. Everyone is safe.
— Warren Petersen (@votewarren) June 25, 2022
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
Palm tree apparently on fire after the “mostly peaceful” protests at the Capitol tonight. #azleg pic.twitter.com/ByhRZbR8Of
— AZ State Rep. Justin Wilmeth (@JustinWilmethAZ) June 25, 2022
Eventually, the senators moved their work to a hearing room on the first floor of the Senate building.
Several yrs ago, then House Speaker @DavidGowanAZ took steps to better secure the House bldg at the AZ Capitol. The press largely mocked this common sense move. Tonight is another reminder the Senate building would also be wise to consider improvements. #RoeRiots
— Constantin Querard (@CQuerard) June 25, 2022