Fencing around the US Capitol building has been reinstalled ahead of a planned rally Saturday in support of the Jan. 6 rioters.
Late Wednesday, workers wearing construction vests put together the fencing around the government building as local law enforcement braces for the “Justice for J6” demonstration.
The rally is being held to protest the detainment of those arrested in connection to the Jan 6. insurrection.
The riot saw hundreds of President Donald Trump supporters violently breach the Capitol, leading to five deaths.
More than 600 people are facing federal charges linked to the insurrection, and over 60 have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanor charges of demonstrating in the Capitol.
Meanwhile, Washington, DC, has seen several other security threats in recent weeks, prompting law enforcement to be on high alert ahead of the protest — including a man claiming to have a bomb outside the Library of Congress and another who was arrested outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters after being found in possession of several knives and a machete.
The fencing around the building is the first major security measure being taken in preparation. It was last seen surrounding the Capitol in July, when it was originally removed.
It is unclear how many people will attend Saturday’s rally, but one of the organizers, Matt Braynard with Look Ahead America, told Fox5 that he is estimating around 700 people.
“We’ve cooperated with the Capitol Police, Park Police, Metropolitan Police. We’ve got additional security — a diplomatic security team — to help make the event be smooth,” said Braynard, a former Trump campaign staffer.
“We’ve got volunteers who are going to be there to help keep everybody safe. We’re encouraging everybody to leave in groups together so they can’t be targeted.”
He has also told attendees in a message on the rally’s website not to wear or bring any “political, candidate, or another organization’s paraphernalia” including “clothing or banners supportive of President Trump or President Biden.”
Rather, rallygoers are being told to “[b]e respectful to our security team and law enforcement” and “wear your red, white, and blue and bring your American flag and signs to show your support of the J6 prisoners.”
The US Capitol Police, the Washington Metropolitan Police and the FBI Washington Field Office will be monitoring the event.
This week, Capitol Police requested assistance from the Pentagon ahead of the rally.
Defense Department press secretary John Kirby confirmed the request to reporters Wednesday but declined to elaborate on its nature except to say Pentagon officials are “analyzing” it and “if it can be validated and supported, we’ll do that.”
“My understanding is that it is not an exorbitant ask,” he added. “It’s not of a particularly large size or major capability. I think it’s really more in the form of some manpower support.”
In addition to the Capitol protest, Look Ahead America has planned smaller rallies in 17 states, including outside the state capitol buildings in New York and New Jersey.
