An effort by the Capitol Police Department to make fencing around the Capitol permanent after the Jan. 6 riot is quickly facing members of Congress and the public.
Detractors in and around Washington, DC, warn against the symbolism of the permanent fencing surrounding the building. Lawmakers say maintaining a barrier around “La Casa del Poble” cuts a message of transparency and accountability to its members.
“Permanent fencing would send the wrong message to the nation and the world, by transforming our democracy from one that is accessible and from people to one that is exclusive and fearful of its citizens,” he receives. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Eleanor Holmes NortonBowser says DC will “not accept” permanent fencing in the DC Capitol that could win the U.S. House vote if it tries to grow calls by a 9/11-style panel to investigate the Capitol attack MORE (D), the only member of the DC House, wrote this week in a letter to law enforcement.
Norton delved into the proposal, saying it would not solve the Capitol security issue that opened during the riot this month. Instead, he called it “another form of security theater,” saying it would “make the Capitol” look “safe” but mask the lack of state-of-the-art security measures that could prevent future attacks. “.
Several other legislators echoed similar sentiments against the permanence of the fence erected around the Capitol precinct.
“I strongly oppose this action. A fence did not fail us. Law enforcement leaders did. I think we can keep the members, the press, the staff, my constituents and all those who work here safe without turning off the symbol of our democracy. It is the Casa del Poble, we continue like this ”, he receives. Jennifer Wexton
Jennifer Lynn WextonPorter loses her seat on the House panel overseeing the financial sector Democratic lawmakers call for Pence to call for 25th amendment and remove Trump from office 7 surprise moments of tumultuous year in politics MORE (D-Va.) He tweeted this week.
I strongly oppose this action.
A fence did not fail us. Law enforcement leaders did.
I think we can keep the members, the press, the staff, my constituents and all those who work here safe without turning off the symbol of our democracy.
It is the Casa del Poble, we continue like this. https://t.co/JESNACPwve
– Representative Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) January 28, 2021
Representative Jake Auchincloss (Massage D) he tweeted it would be a “mistake to turn the house of our democracy into a fortress” and called for the complex to remain open to “constituents, press and visitors”.
“This is the People’s House. I strongly oppose it. ” added Rep. GOP Elise Stefanik
Republican Elise Marie StefanikHouse calls for information on National Guard threats to DC Lincoln Project hits Stefanik in new ad on support for Trump County Wyoming votes to censor Liz Cheney for Trump’s ouster vote MORE (New York). “No information has been given about the threats to members of Congress to justify this proposal.”
Mayor of DC Muriel Bowser
Muriel BowserScrutiny grows over National Guard presence at Capitol The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – What path will Democrats take in the COVID-19 bill? Bowser says DC will “not accept” permanent fencing in the MORE Capitol (D) took a firm stand against the fence Thursday afternoon, saying the district “would not accept” permanent fencing “as a long-term fixation on DC.”
The reproaches come after the Capitol’s acting police chief, Yogananda Pittman, called for fencing to be permanent around the Capitol to prevent further violence following the January 6 riot, which left several people dead.
The looting of the Capitol shook the confidence of lawmakers and city officials in Capitol security measures after law enforcement appeared sadly prepared for the crowd, despite knowing in advance that the rally could become violent.
The events led to a wide range of new security measures, including a strengthened presence of law enforcement, more physical obstacles, including the fence, as well as the deployment of about 25,000 National Guard troops to protect the procedures. of investiture of January 20th.
Several journalists covering Capitol Hill acknowledged the security lapses that occurred during the insurgency, but also expressed alarm over how permanent fencing would reduce accessibility to the Capitol.
“There is no doubt that the failure to establish a perimeter around the Capitol complex was a huge failure (if not the central one) on January 6. But it is worth considering what we lose symbolically by putting up a fence. standing around the People’s House. ” he tweeted Kasie Hunt of MSNBC.
“One of the great things for DC residents and millions of visitors is the public space in and around the Capitol. It will be a sad day if that goes. ” added Abby Phillip, of CNN. “But also, what is being done about the failure of intelligence that allowed this attack to occur in the first place?”