Armed protesters gathered on Sunday afternoon at the Ohio State Capitol as state houses across the country stepped up security to deal with the possibility of civil unrest ahead of the opening day.
About 50 protesters, some armed with assault weapons and other firearms, escorted a “Freedom or Death” flag to the Columbus State House at 11 a.m., according to USA Today.
Ohio is an open access state, which means licensed owners can display their weapons.
The crowd included supporters of President Trump and counter-protesters, at least one of whom carried a Black Lives Matters flag, according to local broadcaster WBNS.
By two-thirty in the afternoon, most had left.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol told the CBS affiliate that no arrests had been made by mid-afternoon.
Gov. Mike DeWine authorized the deployment of up to 580 members of the National Guard to secure government buildings in Buckeye state prior to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, according to USA Today.
Two hundred miles away, a handful of armed protesters affiliated with right-wing militias gathered Sunday afternoon at Lansing State House, MI.
No violence has been reported.