Eight injured, 23 held at pro-Trump demonstration in Washington

The demonstration in DC was one of the many held by Trump supporters across the nation on Saturday. In some locations, they were confronted by anti-Trump demonstrations, and while the police strove to keep them separated during daytime, the confrontation reportedly escalated into clashes after sunset.

The Washington Post, citing DC fire spokesman Doug Buchanan, four people were stabbed and hospitalized, possibly with life-threatening injuries.

Citing local police, the newspaper said that the total number of injured people was eight, including the four stabbing victims and two police officers. Two more people were found lying on a sidewalk and picked up by ambulances, according to the report.

DC Police Chief Peter Newsham was cited as saying that police units had been deployed in various parts of downtown Washington. According to the newspaper, officers carried canisters of chemical spray and fired it to disperse crowds.

As of 0900 hrs Saturday (02:00 Sunday GMT), 23 people were arrested, including 10 arrests over misdemeanour assaults, six over assault of police officers, four over rioting and one over possession of an illegal Taser, according to the report, citing the police.

As noted by the newspaper, police officers did not enforce social distancing or fine protesters for not wearing masks, even though DC is amid a record surge in coronavirus cases.