‘Stop the count!’: Tense protests erupt

NBC reporter Steve Patterson tweeted footage of protesters chanting “stop the count” and trying to push their way into the TCF Hall in Detroit where ballots were being counted. He said it was “tense” as guards blocked the door.

This comes after President Donald Trump took the unprecedented step of declaring victory and blamed voter fraud, saying he would take it to the Supreme Court to dispute the counting of votes.

The US is bracing for a fresh wave of protests as the country waits on the final decision on who the next President and Commander-in-chief will be.

A handful of states remain undeclared with a record number of postal votes still being counted.

One man was filmed yelling at a throng of reporters in the battleground state of Nevada, claiming Joe Biden was “stealing” the election.

“We want our freedom for the world,” he screamed passionately, wearing a singlet reading: “BBQ, Beer, Freedom”.

State governors in Michigan and Georgia who are among those still waiting to decare a final result have said every vote will be counted and warned against creating “narratives” about how it might play out.

CNN and CBS News are both projecting that Joe Biden will win Michigan.

Meanwhile the National Guard have been seen on the streets of Philadelphia as Pennsylvania continues to count ballots.

RELATED: Follow our live US election results

Following the vote demonstrators burned US flags and marched through the US city of Portland armed with protest songs and assault rifles as a confusing election night gave way to tension across the country.

The liberal enclave in the state of Oregon had braced for possible armed clashes after months of divisive rallies involving left-wing activists, right-wing militias and federal officers deployed by the Trump administration.

As President Donald Trump claimed he won the US election early Wednesday, despite key states still counting ballots, activists gathered outside the Portland federal courthouse — the epicentre of the summer’s fraught anti-racism protests.

“We don’t like either candidate — I shamefully voted for Biden — but if Trump gets another four years people will be mad,” said one 20-year-old protester, who asked to be called “L,” as two American flags were ignited in front of the building.

The clashes followed similar instances outside the White House where protesters gathered in Black Lives Matter Plaza where a non-saleable fence had been erected.

In New York, shops boarded up windows and extra security was deployed outside Trump tower in anticipation of unrest.

The FBI has warned of the potential for armed clashes in Portland linked to the polls, but there were no signs of election night activity from right-wing groups such as the Proud Boys.

And by the early hours of Wednesday police had not engaged with the protesters, some of whom earlier participated in a peaceful 400-strong Black Lives Matter march around east Portland.

RELATED: When we’ll know US election results

‘IT’S GONNA BE CRAZY’

The three-hour march was led by a convoy including at least half a dozen protesters armed with assault rifles, knives and a shotgun. Rumours and reports of shifts in the national and state races still being counted spread among marchers.

“I heard Trump has the momentum now,” said 20-year-old protest leader Ty Ford.

“It’s gonna be a riot. Whenever it comes out, it’s gonna be crazy.”

“It is like picking between two evils but honestly, we’ll settle with Biden,” said fellow leader “D.D.,” aged 22.

Demands ranged from abolishing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to justice for Black victims of police violence including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, before the march ended with a rendition of “Hallelujah.”

There were also moments of levity as protest leaders cajoled those watching the march from their apartment windows to join the rally.

“Hey, stick your head out the window, tell us how the election is going — and then maybe slip on your shoes and come help us start a revolution,” shouted one activist.