Protests in Michigan and Arizona counting under police protection

Supporters of US President Donald Trump took to the streets against the further vote counting after the election. In the highly competitive states of Michigan and Arizona, they protested on Wednesday in front of buildings where votes were counted.

In Arizona, several Trump supporters gathered in front of a polling station that night, some of them armed with rifles and pistols, according to CNN. The crowd outside the Maricopa County Elections Department in Phoenix chanted “Stop The Theft” and “Count My Vote”.

Several policemen blocked the entrance. Inside were election observers from Democrats and Republicans, and the count was streamed online throughout.

Exit in Arizona is one of the decisive factors

The outcome of the vote in Arizona could help determine whether Trump or his challenger Joe Biden wins the election. According to the current status, Biden is wafer-thin ahead of Trump in Arizona.

Some media outlets have already awarded Biden the state, but Trump’s campaign staff insists the decision has not yet been made.

Supporters also protested in Detroit, Michigan with similar slogans. The police stopped them from entering an area where votes were being counted.

Protests also from the other side

But there were also protests from the other political side – in New York City and Seattle, for example, thousands of people took to the streets to demand the counting of all votes cast.

In Portland, Oregon, downtown violence erupted. According to the authorities, demonstrators threw bottles and other objects at emergency services and smashed shop windows. A man was suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail. Police seized several weapons, including a loaded rifle, knife, hammer and fireworks. At least ten people were arrested. Hundreds of police officers and national guards were on duty.

Portland emergency extended

Previously, several left-wing and anti-capitalist groups had peacefully demonstrated in a park in the city center with music and lectures. Another group of demonstrators along the city’s riverside said they wanted to protect the election results and waved banners saying “Every vote counts”.

The governor of the US state of Oregon, Kate Brown, extended the state of emergency previously declared for election night.