Protesters in D.C.: Probe ‘pizzagate’

WASHINGTON — Several dozen people assembled Saturday outside the White House to demand an investigation into the unfounded Internet rumor known as “pizzagate.”

Wearing T-shirts and holding banners defending the conspiracy theory — which falsely linked Hillary Clinton to an alleged child-sex-trafficking ring operating out of a D.C. pizza parlor — protesters took turns climbing onto an elevated stage in Lafayette Square to demand politicians and mainstream news media take their claims seriously.

“I don’t have any doubt that pizzagate is real,” said Kori Hayes, who drove with his wife and three kids to Washington from Middleburg, Fla., on Friday night for the event. “But nothing is being said about it.”

The demonstration came a day after a North Carolina man pleaded guilty Friday to weapons and assault charges in connection with an ill-fated attempt to expose the alleged sex-trafficking operation.

Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, admitted traveling to Comet Ping Pong in Washington on Dec. 4. He entered the restaurant holding an assault-style rifle, prompting an evacuation by workers and customers.

Welch fired the rifle at least once while searching for evidence of child sex abuse. After finding none, he surrendered to police.