White House LOCKED DOWN As Protests Hit DC; American Flags Burned; Barricades Overturned

This appears to be a violent political movement that is taking advantage of the economic and social disruption caused by the COVID-19 shutdown.

Violence and looting are not the answer.

But instead of following in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr., demonstrators are willing to turn to divisive tactics to try to get their point across.

The Hill confirms that the White House was on lockdown under orders from the Secret Service:

The White House went into a brief lockdown on Friday evening as protests over the death of George Floyd raged nearby, according to reporters who said they were in the building at the time.

NBC News White House correspondent Peter Alexander said on Twitter that he was on lockdown inside the building as protests in the building's vicinity were ongoing. He later tweeted that the lockdown had been lifted.

Photos showed demonstrators gathering in Lafayette Park just outside the White House.

One video showed a man with a bandana around his neck spray-painting "F--k Trump" onto Freedman's Bank Building, which is adjacent to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

The Secret Service announced via Twitter that it is helping law enforcement agencies during the protests at Lafayette Park. They encouraged the public to "remain peaceful."  

Though these demonstrations are supposedly about George Floyd, a man was seen burning an American flag outside the White House.

This appeared to be more of a political or anti-American statement, rather than a showing of support for George Floyd.

Local WTOP News confirms the temporary lockdown at the White House as protests spread around the capital on Friday night:

Protesters in D.C. expressing their anger over Minnesota man George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer converged on the streets around the White House on Friday night.

Crowds started in the District’s Shaw neighborhood and walked south toward Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House. Reports say they have dispersed after scuffling with the Secret Service, moving east toward Capitol Hill and others south toward L’Enfant Plaza.

WTOP’s Mitchell Miller reported that the tone of the protests intensified as the crowd moved from the intersection of 14th and U Streets down to the White House.

Miller said that chants of “No justice, no peace” as well as “Don’t shoot” rang out angrily from the crowd alongside signs of “Black Lives Matter” and “I can’t breathe.”

WTOP’s Alejandro Alvarez also tweeted from the scene on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Some secret service officials lined up across Pennsylvania Avenue as well as on the lawn of the White House after some protesters began throwing bottles and cans.

Alvarez reported that some protesters kicked down barriers, with a few even running into the road that lies between the White House and Lafayette Park.

At least two American flags were doused with lighter fluid and burned amid and angry atmosphere, according to Alvarez.

A more subdued mood took over once the protest migrated to the U.S. Capitol around 9 p.m.

Much of this heightened tension can likely be attributed to biased coverage in the media, which attempts to constantly tie any act of racism to President Trump.

Though President Trump has never said anything racist or enacted any racist policies from the Oval Office, the media attempt to portray him in the worst light possible.

The reality, though, is that Trump has been the best president for black voters, presiding over the lowest unemployment rate and best jobs record in the history of our great country.

While COVID-19 is a significant road bump, President Trump can Make America Great Again... again.