Protests rock US cities amid Trump’s claim of election fraud

 

Protests have been recorded in some cities across the United States as the outcome of country’s presidential election remains unknown.

Anxiety continues to grow as the winner is still undecided between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden, almost 24 hours after voting stopped.

 

In Los Angeles, police arrested 40 protesters after they blocked train tracks.

 

The protesters were said to have refused to disperse after the city declared an unlawful assembly in a part of the city as a result of the “large and unruly crowd”.

 

The Los Angeles police announced via its Twitter handle: “Due to a large and unruly crowd, the LAPD has declared an unlawful assembly & issued a dispersal order at 18th Street & Figueroa.

 

“At this time, anyone in the area is to leave immediately and follow all orders from any police officer. This area is now closed.”

 

It later announced that about 30 individuals were “cited for being in the intersection”, while “approximately 40 individuals were arrested for blocking the train tracks and failing to disperse after an unlawful assembly was declared.”

UPDATE: Approximately 30 individuals were cited for being in the intersection. Approximately 40 individuals were arrested for blocking the train tracks and failing to disperse after an unlawful assembly was declared. This is preliminary information and subject to change. pic.twitter.com/io1hbsyNd1

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) November 4, 2020

Elsewhere, in Seattle, Washington DC, Fox News reported that at least eight people were arrested during a protest.

 

Those arrested included “demonstrators who were leaving nails in a roadway”.

 

Marchers moved traffic barricades into a roadway, with the police confirming that “individuals have continued to put items in roadway, including nails.”

 

One of those arrested allegedly damaged a parking meter with a hammer, while another “drove over a barricade and into a police bike lane.”

 

Protesters vowed to continue with their demonstrations, and The Seattle Times quoted one as saying: “We are not scared of whoever gets elected. It’s not going to stop us.”

 

There are also reports of protests in other parts of the country including Raleigh, Oregon and Minnesota.

 

There has been tension since the results started trickling in with millions of votes yet to be counted, particularly those cast via mail ballot.

 

Although the outcome of the presidential race remained in flux, Trump has alleged fraud and claimed a “big win”.

 

He alleged that the ongoing counting of votes in some states amounted to “a major fraud on our nation”, and vowed to challenge the process in court.

 

Biden, on the other hand, pleaded for patience, telling his supporters “we believe we’re on track to win this election.”