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White House Locked Down After Smoke Bomb

Obamas out for dinner as missile hurled during Occupy protest

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 18, 2012 1:52 AM CST

(Newser) – The White House was locked down for more than an hour last night after a smoke bomb was tossed over the compound's north fence. The Secret Service believes the device was thrown by an Occupy protester. More than 1,000 demonstrators had gathered outside the White House for a rally after marching to the Capitol and Supreme Court when the incident occurred, the Wall Street Journal reports.

"In all the commotion we couldn't see the smoke bomb, but it filtered back that something had been thrown over the fence of the White House," a protester tells the Telegraph. "The police made a moderate show of force with some 30 officers with batons and helmets but no shields. There wasn't any confrontation." No arrests were made and the Obamas weren't home at the time: They were out for dinner a few blocks away to celebrate Michelle's 48th birthday.

Occupy DC demonstrators chant slogans outside the White House.
Occupy DC demonstrators chant slogans outside the White House.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
SpaceCadetGlow
Jan 18, 2012 10:15 AM CST
just warms my heart to continue to see these protesters speaking their peace in such a wholesome, non-threatening,non-violent manner. Excellent. I'm sure this is all a huge misunderstanding and that this was all at the hands of the police.(sorry can't keep a straight face)
littlewolfplaying
Jan 18, 2012 7:13 AM CST
do worry about it,it is just a black man in the white house,he dose not deserve the same respect,protection as all the other white president's....BULLSHIT!!!!!! that is why i cant wait for obama's second term in office.and see the face's of all you rich white people's out there.............GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
myflap.blow
Jan 18, 2012 5:48 AM CST
smoke bomb... more like the Occupy protesters were smokin the bomb! They probably just flicked a cheech-n-chong sized roach and it took a weird bounce over the fence. Big deal. The hour lock down was probably only because staffers copped a killer contact buzz and it gave em the noids.
 

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