PHOTOS: The moment protesters invaded US congress

Thousands of protesters on Wednesday stormed the United States Capitol Hill while the certification of the November 3 presidential election was ongoing.

The protesters trooped to the congress shortly after President Donald Trump encouraged them to do so.

Mike Pence, vice-president and head of the US senate, was whisked out of the senate while lawmakers took cover.

Below are photos of protesters outside the Capitol Hill and inside the chamber.

Photo credit: Getty Images and Igor Bobic