'This Is Anarchy': MA Lawmakers Speak Amid Chaos At Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, DC — Patch is working to determine the whereabouts of members of Congress from Massachusetts as protesters stormed the Capitol Wednesday afternoon.

The certification of President-elect Joe Biden's election victory was halted by a mob of rioters supporting President Donald Trump, who for days has fanned the flames of his supporters' fury over his loss. Senators, representatives and Vice President Mike Pence were evacuated from Capitol building, which was overrun by people donning Trump flags and gear.

Patch has reached out to members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation:

• Spokespeople for Congressman Seth Moulton and Congresswoman Katherine Clark told Patch both were safe. "He’s locked down at the moment with one other member of our team and he’s fine," Moulton's spokesperson said. "He’s not in the chamber."
• Responses and tweets have also come in from Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Reps. Bill Keating, Lori Trahan, Jake Auchincloss, Stephen Neal and Ayanna Pressley.
• Patch has yet to hear from or see statements from Rep. Stephen Lynch.

Images of confrontations — including an armed standoff — between protesters and law enforcement have flooded news networks and social media. Police appeared overwhelmingly outnumbered.

Moulton called the scene "anarchy."

"This is anarchy. This is an attempted coup," he tweeted. "And it’s happening in America because of lawless lawmakers. That they are colleagues makes me embarrassed and sad for our country."

Rep. Bill Jim McGovern said it was a "terrorist attack on our democracy."

Moulton went on to call for the impeachment of Trump or for his Cabinet to deem him unfit to carry out his duties.

The Massachusetts State Police issued a statement that they are monitoring the events in D.C. and prepared to "ensure that any protesters in our areas of jurisdiction are able to freely express their right to demonstrate provided they do so peacefully and with respect for the rights, safety and property of others." State Police added that they are not aware of any expectation of violence in Massachusetts.

CNN reported a woman was treated for gunshot wounds. No other injuries have been reported.

Protesters started storming the building after the Senate and House broke from the election certification to debate objections raised over the presidential election, which has long been contested by Trump. There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud.