THE EXIT PLAN
Tensions high as armed protesters hit voting centres
ARMED protesters surrounded a vote counting centre in Arizona on Friday, forcing local sheriffs to don “tactical armour”, while in Philadelphia police foiled a plot to attack a voting centre as civil unrest continued across the US.
A CNN TV crew was reportedly terrified when told it had to come with up with an “exit plan” for its own safety as protesters gathered outside the Maricopa County Elections Department in Arizona.
Some had firearms including semi-automatic rifles.
CNN reporter Kyung Lah told viewers: “We are just being told that this building is now going to close. We are the last news organisation allowed to do a live shot here.”
Viewers took to social media to say Ms Lah seemed “genuinely terrified”.
Police were on high alert in Philadelphia where they foiled an alleged plot to attack the Pennsylvania Convention Centre where vote counting was taking place.
Local news outlets reported one man had been arrested and a weapon seized.
A Philadelphia police chopper hovered overhead as opposing demonstrators using megaphones hurled verbal abuse at each other.
But there were no reports of injured officers, looting or damage.
On the streets of Detroit, pro-Trump supporters and counter protesters faced off while police formed lines to separate them.
At least 24 police cars packed with officers in riot gear turned up in case the tension between the groups escalated from shouting to violence. In Portland, Oregon, police conducted continuous high-visibility patrols and made traffic stops, arresting one driver who was trying to evade them.
The police command moved on crowds of demonstrators using megaphones to tell them their protest was an unlawful assembly and they would be arrested unless they dispersed.
Demonstrators again took to the streets of New York and Washington DC, but in smaller numbers.
The New York Police Department did make arrests after a protester was found carrying a knife, and an officer was pushed to the ground and had a chain pressed against his throat.
There were sporadic outbreaks of violence and some demonstrators lit fires that were quickly extinguished.
In Seattle, demonstrators marched through the streets bringing traffic to a standstill but there were no arrests.