This weekend's rally will present law enforcement officials with the first large-scale security test to the Capitol since the attack on the complex by a pro-Trump mob.
On Saturday, right-wing demonstrators plan to protest the ongoing criminal cases tied to individuals charged after the deadly riot. The weekend rally has drawn the attention of far-right extremist groups.
[...]
"They seem very, very well-prepared, much better prepared than before Jan. 6," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "And I think they are ready for whatever might happen."
[...]
"The [perimeter] fence will go up a day or two before [the rally] and, if everything goes well ... it will come down soon after," he said.
The perimeter fencing was previously installed in the hours following the Jan. 6 insurrection and remained in place until July. It drew opposition from many Republicans and some Democrats, who said the fencing had turned the seat of American democracy into a fortress.
NPR
Sadly, it needs to be.
For its part, the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, or MPD, has also said it's ready to defend the Capitol.
"MPD will have an increased presence around the city where demonstrations will be taking place and will be prepared to make street closures for public safety," Chief Robert Contee said recently.
Congress is not slated to be in session on Saturday.
[...]
[O]n Monday, Capitol Police arrested a man with weapons near Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington.
[...]
Capitol Police noted that since Jan. 6, the agency has improved training, installed a new emergency response plan, added additional equipment and launched a departmentwide operation planning process. It has also held planning meetings for the Saturday event for the last month.
No comments:
Post a Comment