Citing security concerns, Ohio officials declined to discuss preparations after reports said supporters of embattled President Donald Trump were plan an "armed march" on state capitols, including Columbus, on Sunday.The Washington Post reported far-right online forums talked of planning for "an armed march on all state capitals" and included specific mention of Columbus following the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob on Wednesday.A couple hundred pro- and anti-Trump protesters clashed outside the Statehouse at a "Stop the Steal" rally on Wednesday as a mob of thousands gathered in Washington D.C. in the mistaken belief the election was stolen from Trump.Citing an internal FBI memo, ABC reported police agencies were told to increase security at statehouses around the country and that other government buildings also could be stormed as Democrat President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20.MORE: Statehouses urgently beef up security as potential violence loomsThe office of Gov. Mike DeWine deferred questions on any expanded security presence at the Statehouse to the State Highway Patrol and added "while prepared, the Ohio National Guard has received no requests" to deploy on Sunday."Gov. DeWine is monitoring the situation and receives regular briefings from his public safety team," said his spokesman, Dan Tierney.The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is responsible for security at the Statehouse, cannot comment on planning due to security concerns, said Staff Lt. Craig Cvetan, patrol spokesman."Security is something we are continually evaluating and taking actions to enhance," he said."We work with local law enforcement partners to maintain a safe environment so everyone can exercise their constitutional rights while protecting the property at the Statehouse," Cvetan said.A spokesman for the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, which operates the Statehouse and grounds, said it was working with the State Highway Patrol and "continuing to monitor the situation."In a statement, Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan said his agency is working with its police partners "at every level of government to ensure the security of our Statehouse and the safety of our city."We have plans in place, but to avoid compromising them, we do not release our plans in advance," Quinlan said.Twenty-eight windows were broken at the Statehouse and other property damaged on May 28 amid protests over the death of George Floyd at the knee of a police officer and calls for racial justice and equality.Weeks later, the Statehouse was vandalized on June 18 with red paint, including hand prints protesters said symbolized Black victims of police brutality.Trump won Ohio's electoral votes for the second time in November's election, winning the state by eight percentage points over Biden.DeWine on Monday ordered U.S. and Ohio flags on public grounds and buildings flown at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday in honor of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died when assaulted during the riot, and Officer Howard Liebengood, who later died off duty, reportedly by suicide.rludlow@dispatch.com@RandyLudlow Source link
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