Kavanaugh, Ford hearing marked with hundreds of protesters around Capitol Hill

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Kavanaugh, Ford testify on sexual misconduct allegations

As the dramatic hearing with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused him of sexual assault, got underway, hundreds of protesters clashed on Capitol Hill – shutting down roads.

Demonstrators gathered outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building Thursday, where the hearing is being held. Some stood silently lining stairwells in the Senate building while others clogged elevators.

By Thursday afternoon, protesters began gathering in the street on Capitol Hill, blocking the road. United States Capitol announced the closure of First St. NE between Constitution Ave. NE and East Capitol St. NE Thursday as additional officers gathered.

Protesters gather in front of the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who says he sexually assaulted her. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Many female protesters wore teal, which has been designated as the color for sexual assault awareness and prevention.

Holding signs that read, “We Believe Dr. Ford,” a few protesters also gathered outside the Supreme Court building Thursday morning.

Organizers behind the Women’s March planned a “direct action” Thursday morning in the Hart Senate Building in support of Ford, who is testifying about allegations that Kavanaugh assaulted her during a drunken high school party decades ago.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE KAVANAUGH, FORD SENATE HEARING

Conservative groups in support of Kavanaugh also planned counter-protesters around Capitol Hill Thursday. A coalition of conservative women’s groups planned an “I Stand With Brett” rally near the Russell Senate Office Building. Hundreds of students from Liberty University were slated to travel from Lynchburg, Virginia, to Washington, D.C., to publicly show support for the federal appeals judge, too.

Kavanuagh’s confirmation hearing earlier this month was marred by dozens of protesters interrupting the hearing even before Ford’s allegation became public.

Fox News’ Guerin Hays, Griff Jenkins, Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.