Seven months after the deadly US Capitol insurrection, a right-wing rally in support of the jailed rioters and the 20th anniversary of 9/11 have sparked fresh concerns of violence at the iconic legislative complex in Washington.
“Serious discussions” are underway about reinstalling an eight-foot (2.4-meter) black metal fencing that was temporarily installed around the Capitol’s perimeter after the January 6 violence, CNN quoted multiple sources as saying.
On August 19, law enforcement agencies dealt with a “potential threat to the Capitol Hill community” by arresting a bomb threat suspect after a five-hour standoff. In another incident earlier this year, one police officer was killed and another injured after a man rammed his car into a police barricade.
Now, even as security is being beefed up ahead of the ‘Justice for J6’ rally planned for September 18 on the Capitol grounds, lawmakers are apprehensive about the January insurrection manifesting into further acts of violence.
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“You don’t get an insurrection on January 6 and all threats of violence go away. In fact, the fear is that future planning will produce other violent acts,” Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Pennsylvania Democrat told CNN.
“I’m most concerned for my staff … and I also worry for the Capitol Police,” she added. “They are strained, they have been heroic and they saved all of our lives at great peril to themselves.”
The ‘Justice for J6’ rally has been organized by an ex-campaign staffer for former President Donald Trump. CNN reports that, besides resurrecting the temporary fencing, the Metropolitan Police Department will be “fully activated” and monitor open source information to gauge the potential crowds as part of security plans for September 18.
Republican members of the Congress such as Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois, are against the idea of fencing as it is takes days to assemble and remove, costing taxpayers millions and making access more difficult. Davis, the top Republican on the House Administration Committee, called on to implement “permanent solutions we know are needed to secure the Capitol.”
The Capitol Police has been asked to “plan for violent altercations”as the group organizing the ‘Justice for J6’ rally is known to draw attention of far-right extremists, according to a memo, which adds that around 300 people may already have shown interest in attending the event.