CAUTION. Workers set up surveillance equipment outside the United States Capitol on Thursday. | Photo: Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post.
Capitol Police recommended re-fencing around the U.S. Congress ahead of a rally scheduled for Sept. 18 in support of those arrested in the Jan. 6 raid, two people reported on condition of anonymity to discuss planning for the safety.
The context: In Washington DC, a fence surrounded the Capitol complex for six months, after the insurrection that sought to prevent Congress from confirming the electoral victory of President Joe Biden. The riots left some 140 officers injured and five people were killed.
- An official with direct knowledge of the plans revealed that the reinstallation of the fence was requested a day or two before the protest.
- Since the rally is on a Saturday, Congress will not be in session and members are not expected to be in the building.
- A spokesman for the Capitol Police declined to comment on the security plans.
And now that…? The request made by the Police would have to be approved by the Capitol Police Board, which is made up of the Capitol Police Chief, the Senate and House sergeants at arms, and the Architect of the Capitol agency.
- It is not yet clear exactly how much ground the fence would cover or how long it would last.
- The official, on condition of anonymity, said the board was reviewing two fencing options: one narrower in scope and one broader, although it did not have more specific details on the perimeters of each option.
Main source of the news: The Washington Post.
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