On Wednesday, supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump invaded the Capitol in Washington, to protest against the process of certification of the election of Democratic candidate Joe Biden by members of the United States Congress.
Back in pictures on scenes that will mark American history.
Surrealist images from Washington.
On Wednesday, during the certification of Joe Biden's victory by members of Congress, pro-Trump supporters invaded the Capitol, temple of American democracy.
The session was suspended, the police had to draw their weapons and use tear gas.
A first assessment reports four deaths, including a woman shot dead by the police within the institution.
The other three people were killed in the Capitol Hill area on Wednesday, but police are refraining from directly linking the deaths to the violence for now.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the state of emergency in the federal capital for 15 days while a curfew has been imposed.
Soldiers from the National Guard also arrived as reinforcements.
Back in image on historical scenes.
A rally of Trump supporters
It all started with a demonstration by supporters of Donald Trump, contesting the victory of Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Tens of thousands of supporters from across the country converge on an esplanade near the White House where the outgoing president is scheduled to speak.
Around noon, the Republican billionaire gives a very virulent speech.
© Joseph Prezioso / AFP
"We will never give up. We will never concede," he says.
"We will never take back our country by being weak. (...) You must be strong".
"I know that everyone here will soon be marching to Capitol Hill, to peacefully, patriotically make it between your voices," he added, calling on Vice President Mike Pence not to endorse the President-elect's victory.
Congress parliamentarians begin the process of certifying the election results at around 1 p.m.
Just before the start of the meeting, Mike Pence declares in a letter that he will not oppose it, this right falling according to him to elected officials.
The leader of the Republican senators, Mitch McConnell, yet support of Donald Trump during his mandate, warns his colleagues, evoking a "mortal" risk for democracy.
But at the start of the session, Republicans raised objections to the results of the election in the state of Arizona.
In accordance with an ultra-codified process, the two chambers then separated to debate it.
Trump supporters invade the Capitol
At the same time, pro-Trump protesters are flocking to Capitol Hill to protest the certification process.
The situation degenerates: annex buildings are evacuated while some force the roadblocks of the police.
The session is interrupted and the two rooms are placed in confinement.
Quickly, elected officials were instructed to put on gas masks and lie on the ground.
Others are ordered to seek refuge, lock doors, while awaiting evacuation.
Capitol police, arms out, protect one of the front doors of the House #capitol (photo Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) pic.twitter.com/Zija29U0Nh
- Philippe Berry (@ptiberry) January 6, 2021
© Jon Cherry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
© Olivier DOULIERY / AFP
Insurgents enter the Capitol, smashing windows.
According to the US Capitol Historical Society, this is the first time the Capitol has been invaded since the building was set on fire by British troops in 1814.
Images of the Capitol Rotunda in Washington after pro-Trump protesters erupted today
By @ saulloeb # AFPpic.twitter.com / imeJOVQQGx
- Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) January 6, 2021
© Jon Cherry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Chaos sets in: the police draw their weapons and use tear gas.
A woman is fatally shot by police bullets in still unknown circumstances.
The demonstrators disperse in the corridors.
One of them chants from the rostrum: "Trump won the election".
© WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The Capitol invaded by pro-Trump protesters as Congress certified the election of Joe Biden.
No comment.
pic.twitter.com/A1AsL4gwEH
- Brut FR (@brutofficiel) January 6, 2021
A pro-Trump protester with a Confederate flag in the halls of the Capitol #AFP
@ saulloebpic.twitter.com / 7SBrGt0b5t
- Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) January 6, 2021
Others enter the office of the Democratic President of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to leave a note: "We will not give in".
© SAUL LOEB / AFP
Curfew and National Guard
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser orders a 6 p.m. curfew and the National Guard is called in.
© SAMUEL CORUM / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
President-elect Joe Biden speaks from Delaware.
Face closed, he denounces an "unprecedented attack" on democracy and an "insurrection".
He also urges Donald Trump to speak on national television.
United States: Joe Biden asks Donald Trump to speak on television to "demand that this siege end" while supporters of the president have invaded the capitol.
pic.twitter.com/3szwpQ6NP2
- franceinfo (@franceinfo) January 6, 2021
Donald Trump tweets several times to call for calm, recalling his motto: "law and order".
He finally asks his supporters to return home, in a video where he declares to them at the same time "to love" them, and where he always insists that the election was "stolen" from him.
The video will eventually be taken down by Twitter and Facebook shortly thereafter.
The Republican President's account was suspended by social networks for a period of twelve hours.
Calm down and the certification process
After the curfew came into force, the demonstrators still there were dispersed by the police.
Around 6.30 p.m., an official announced that the Capitol was once again secure.
The parliamentary session resumed shortly after 8 p.m.
© WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The Senate has decided, by an overwhelming majority of 93 votes to 6, not to act on objections from elected Republicans to the results of the presidential election in the state of Arizona.
A few minutes later, the House of Representatives in turn dismissed the objection by 303 votes to 121, taking a further step towards the certification of the results of the presidential election.