Police in Washington are taking all precautions before Donald Trump supporters demonstrate at the US Congress building on Saturday.
Trump supporters have announced that they will show their support for those who have been imprisoned and put on trial after the congressional storm on January 6. At that time, a large Trump rally ended with Congress being stormed and politicians having to be evacuated.
Five deaths are linked to the storm, among them a woman who was shot by a police officer who has explained that he had to protect elected representatives from the mob.
Several police officers and others have struggled with the aftermath of the attack.
– Feared for life
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Despite the fact that it is difficult to say how big Saturday’s muster will be, the police in the American capital are taking all precautions.
The chief of police for the congress police, Tom Manger, says that it is difficult to describe how great the danger of violence is, but that conversations have been revealed online that are reminiscent of what was later seen before the congress storm in January.
Therefore, both the Congressional Police and the Washington Police are on full alert. They will certainly avoid the mistakes they have been criticized for when Congress last stormed.
Danger of collision
The biggest danger this time is clashes between Trump protesters and counter-protesters, Manger said.
– We will not tolerate violence or criminal behavior in any way. The American people and Congress have an expectation that we will protect the building. And I am confident that the plan we have will live up to that, says Manger.
Large fences have again been erected around the congress building. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
Matt Braynard, a former strategist in the Trump campaign, is the organizer of the demonstration. He says they will show support for the around 60 who are imprisoned after the uprising. More than 600 charges have been brought.
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– Political prisoners
Some Republicans have recently referred to these as political prisoners, and Saturday’s demonstration is seen as a new attempt to rewrite the story of what happened in the violent storm in January, writes AP.
Congressman Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on the committee investigating the uprising, said he supported the steps taken by police before the demonstration.
– Hopefully it is precisely an overreaction from the police that can prevent this from getting out of control, Kinzinger says.
He acknowledges that more Republican voters will criticize police handling if it turns out to be a peaceful demonstration, but says what happened in January shows that it is necessary.
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Intelligence report
Police intelligence suggests extremist groups will try to influence the demonstration, but leaders in groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers have said they will not come and asked others to stay away.
Nevertheless, for example, the National Guard is on standby. They will move in and defend the congress building if the situation degenerates, but will not use firearms.
An intelligence report states that there are discussions on social media about whether the Congress will be stormed again, and that plans are being made to abduct an unnamed politician.
It is not expected that any elected representatives will be present in the congress building when the demonstration takes place on Saturday.
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