Police and protesters came to a head at Lafayette Square outside the White House.
A protest turned into a volatile situation near the White House on Monday (June 22) between protesters and police. Multiple news outlets have reported that protesters convened at Lafayette Square outside the White House and circled a statue the seventh President the United States, Andrew Jackson. Though he is revered in American history books, Jackson owned upwards 300 slaves in his lifetime and was responsible for signing the Indian Removal Act, relocating Native and Indigenous peoples America, resulting in the widespread death and disease in various tribes.
Chip Somodevilla / Staff / Getty s
As tension rose, USA Today reported that White House staffers were asked to vacate the premises. At one point, protesters had secured the statue Jackson with ropes and had even begun chanting to take it down, but police in riot gear showed up to stop the display. The police reportedly dispersed tear gas and pepper-sprayed people gathering. Another person reported that authorities were seen lining the ros surrounding buildings, and copters were circling overhead. Some protesters came face-to-face with police and many members the press on-site suffered injuries.
The statue Andrew Jackson still stands. Check out a few posts about the incident below.