International leadership is responding as angry protesters swarm the U.S. Capitol, urged on by President Donald Trump, sending lawmakers, Capitol staff and reporters into lockdown.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that “violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the U.S. must be upheld — and it will be.”
Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld – and it will be.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 6, 2021
Earlier, in a local radio interview, Trudeau said that he was following the situation “minute-by-minute.”
“There is an important electoral process unfolding in the United States and I think we all want it and need it to unfold properly and peacefully,” he told News 1130. “So we certainly hope that things will calm down,” he said.
Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, tweeted that the “outcome of this democratic election must be respected.”
Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 6, 2021
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the scene as “disgraceful.”
Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 6, 2021
This post has been updated.
