U.S. Capitol police are erecting a temporary fence around the Capitol in anticipation of a rally scheduled for September 18 by far-right groups they defend The rioters of January 6.
In a press release, Capitol police said they are “aware of online concerns about a rally scheduled for Sept. 18. Saturday’s” Justice for J6 “rally will be made up of pro-Trump protesters who s ‘oppose the persecution of those who attacked the Capitol on 6 January.
The Capitol Police Board has already issued an emergency statement that will take effect the demonstration, which will allow the department to replace external police officers as special officers of the U.S. Capitol Police. An inner perimeter that it had been erected around the Capitol after the January 6 attack and was overthrown in July.
“We are here to protect the right of the First Amendment of everyone to protest peacefully,” Tom Manger, head of a statement, said of the U.S. Capitol Police Chief. “I urge anyone who is thinking of causing trouble to stay home. We will enforce the law and not tolerate violence.”
U.S. Capitol police held planning meetings for the rally throughout August, even with members of Congress.
As CBS News reported earlier, far-right groups, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, plan to attend the rally, according to sources familiar with the intelligence. Information gathered so far suggests that 300 to 500 people will attend the event and some members of Congress have been invited to attend, a federal law enforcement source said. It is unclear whether members will attend.