On November 5th, two days after election day, and the public is still waiting to find out who their next President will be. Amidst the uncertainty, protests across the U.S. have emerged in response to either the fear that not all votes will be counted or that the current count is inaccurate.
According to The Guardian, peaceful protesters marched in at least a half-dozen cities on November 4th, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, New York City, Dallas, Chicago, and San Diego. Many of these demonstrations were organized by local organizations with ties to Protect the Results, a coalition of 165 grassroots organizations, advocacy groups, and labor unions. The coalition is calling on officials to “count every vote.”
In some cities, law enforcement shut down protests that involved blocking traffic or unlawful activity. On November 4th, Minneapolis police arrested hundreds of protesters who had marched onto a highway for trespassing and unlawful assembly. In Washington D.C., police arrested four people for separate incidents, including crossing a police line, assault, and interfering with law enforcement.
Meanwhile, pro-Trump protesters have gathered outside ballot counting centers, some with military-style weapons, in Michigan and Arizona, accusing officials of manipulating results. Without citing evidence, President Trump has insisted that Biden’s lead in both states is the product of voter fraud.
Despite earlier fears that an extended period of uncertainty would manifest in significant violence, there has thus far been no indications of massive unrest.
The Guardian The New York Times
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