Police on Monday dispersed a crowd of rioters who attempted tear down a sculpture of previous U.S. President Andrew Jackson near the White House.
The rioters climbed onto the statuary and linked ropes as well as cords around it before trying to pull the statue far from its base, videos posted to social media revealed.
Mischief-makers additionally snuffed the marble stand with yellow paint.
Law enforcement officer relocated with pepper spray to help move vandals far from the statuary and spread the group out of Lafayette Square, WUSA-TV in Washington reported.
The event took place around 8 p.m. Most of the crowd remained in the Black Lives Matter Plaza after being pushed out of Lafayette Square, according to WUS9. The sculpture was erected in 1852 on a white marble base as well as illustrates Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, on a rearing equine. It continues to be installed on its stand.
On the same night, a group of demonstrators apparently created a “Black House Autonomous Zone,” or “BHAZ” near the White House, in what seems an imitation of the self-proclaimed “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” or CHAZ in Seattle– which has actually because been relabelled to “Capitol Hill Occupied Protest,” or CHOP.
A video uploaded by The Daily Caller shows St. John’s Episocal Church ruined with spray paint with the acronym “BHAZ.”
Late Monday night, President Donald Trump revealed on Twitter that “various people” have been jailed “for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the stunning Statue of Andrew Jackson, along with the outside defacing of St. John’s Church across the street.”
Trump likewise warned that those who act in violation of the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act can deal with 10 years behind bars.
Many individuals arrested in D.C. for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the spectacular Statue of Andrew Jackson, in addition to the outside defacing of St. John’s Church across the street. 10 years behind bars under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Be careful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020 Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who was at the scene Monday evening, released a statement on Twitter praising police as well as denouncing the tried act of desecration by “anarchists.”
“I just left Lafayette Square where another so called ‘‘ tranquil demonstration’ brought about destruction tonight,” he created. “Let me be clear: we will not bow to anarchists. Law and order will certainly dominate, as well as justice will be offered.”
I simply left Lafayette Square where one more so called “calm protest” brought about damage tonight. Allow me be clear: we will not acquiesce anarchists. Law and order will certainly dominate, and justice will be served.
— Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) June 23, 2020 Reuters contributed to this record.
