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Leaked Zoom calls show extensive preparation for organized protests and unrest in D.C.

Black Lives Matter and ShutDownDC groups have reportedly planned various protests beginning election night.

Published: November 3, 2020 12:52pm

Updated: November 3, 2020 4:25pm

Leaked Zoom-call recordings and documents appear to show groups have been holding training sessions to organize protests on election night and in the ensuing days, with those in the nation's capital expected to be large with the potential for violence.

A collection of groups led by Black Lives Matter and ShutDownDC have reportedly been holding such sessions. The groups are trying to gather activists in cities across the country through the weekend and possibly into Inauguration Day.

The Zoom call shows organizers discussing the locations of D.C. police stations, major government buildings, media outlets and buildings occupied by “Trump boosters”.

Although the validity of the Zoom call was not confirmed by law enforcement and the FBI, it was taken off of YouTube for violating community guidelines. 

“We have to be ready to put our bodies in line and risk some inconvenience and sacrifice to change things,” Lisa Fithian, a major protest organizer, seem to say in the call. “We are facing an administration and a possible coup and possible rebellion.”

The documents and Zoom meeting were first obtained by conservative journalist Millle Weaver, who posted the information to her YouTube channel.

The ShutDownDC website has planned four days of events to "defend democracy" and make sure President Trump “isn’t able to steal the 2020 Presidential Election.” Some of the daily events listed on the site are “After you vote, hit the streets,” “Shut down the White House” and “Shut down DC.”

D.C. businesses have been boarded up in the days leading to the election, and the White House has added another wall around the property’s perimeter to boost security with over 200 National Guard members on standby.

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