Security is heightened at state capitols across the country including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana ahead of planned protests in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after the deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol. Leaders in Ohio are urging people to stay away, saying they have been notified that armed protesters plan on heading to the state capitol building this weekend."I am asking members of our community that if you do not have business downtown, please avoid the area through this period of uncertainty, specifically, the 17th through Wednesday the 20th," Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan said.State offices, including the Statehouse, will be closed during that time period. Other security measures are already in place. Metal gates have been placed around the perimeter of the building and windows were boarded up. Extra state police were sent to Columbus and nearly 1,000 Ohio National Guard members were activated to help local and state police."Here in Columbus, we have brought everyone to the table to ensure our city and our Capitol are safe," Quinlan said. "Police will be highly visible, and we will be wearing body-worn cameras. People caught on video or in photos who engage in illegal acts should expect to have their images released to identify lawbreakers to hold accountable."Quinlan won't disclose details about the anticipated size of protests, but Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said they are preparing for the worst-case scenario."In the coming days, we will not allow violence and destruction to be a part of our city," Ginther said. "Hate has no place in Columbus or these United States of America."Similar security measures are taking place in Kentucky and Indiana. Areas near the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort will be closed on Sunday in anticipation of upcoming demonstrations at statehouses nationwide, Kentucky Gov.Andy Beshear announced Friday.Because there have been no requests for permits for gatherings at the state Capitol, the Democratic governor said “there are no gatherings or rallies that can or should be happening” over the weekend.“Domestic terror is never OK. We must stop it every time we see it, and we cannot let what we saw at the U.S. Capitol become a new normal for this country.”” he said.Beshear also noted that the Kentucky National Guard has been authorized to support efforts by Kentucky State Police and Frankfort Police to protect the Capitol and surrounding areas.The Indiana Statehouse and the nearby state office buildings will also be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in addition to its scheduled closure over the weekend and then Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the governor’s office said.Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement that state officials “decided to err on the side of caution” in closing the buildings.Legislative leaders have also canceled all committee and session meetings for next week and directed legislative staffers to work remotely until being told to return to their offices.
Security is heightened at state capitols across the country including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana ahead of planned protests in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after the deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol.
Leaders in Ohio are urging people to stay away, saying they have been notified that armed protesters plan on heading to the state capitol building this weekend.
"I am asking members of our community that if you do not have business downtown, please avoid the area through this period of uncertainty, specifically, the 17th through Wednesday the 20th," Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan said.
State offices, including the Statehouse, will be closed during that time period. Other security measures are already in place. Metal gates have been placed around the perimeter of the building and windows were boarded up. Extra state police were sent to Columbus and nearly 1,000 Ohio National Guard members were activated to help local and state police.
"Here in Columbus, we have brought everyone to the table to ensure our city and our Capitol are safe," Quinlan said. "Police will be highly visible, and we will be wearing body-worn cameras. People caught on video or in photos who engage in illegal acts should expect to have their images released to identify lawbreakers to hold accountable."
Quinlan won't disclose details about the anticipated size of protests, but Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said they are preparing for the worst-case scenario.
"In the coming days, we will not allow violence and destruction to be a part of our city," Ginther said. "Hate has no place in Columbus or these United States of America."
Similar security measures are taking place in Kentucky and Indiana.
Areas near the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort will be closed on Sunday in anticipation of upcoming demonstrations at statehouses nationwide, Kentucky Gov.Andy Beshear announced Friday.
Because there have been no requests for permits for gatherings at the state Capitol, the Democratic governor said “there are no gatherings or rallies that can or should be happening” over the weekend.
“Domestic terror is never OK. We must stop it every time we see it, and we cannot let what we saw at the U.S. Capitol become a new normal for this country.”” he said.
Beshear also noted that the Kentucky National Guard has been authorized to support efforts by Kentucky State Police and Frankfort Police to protect the Capitol and surrounding areas.
The Indiana Statehouse and the nearby state office buildings will also be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in addition to its scheduled closure over the weekend and then Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the governor’s office said.
Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement that state officials “decided to err on the side of caution” in closing the buildings.
Legislative leaders have also canceled all committee and session meetings for next week and directed legislative staffers to work remotely until being told to return to their offices.
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