Is this the new normal for protests in Washington DC? I realize the group gathering to protest incarcerated rioters from January 6 are antigovernment, but do they warrant barricades?
Unlike Jan. 6, there's not going to be thousands of protestors. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security estimates the anticipated crowd size will be around 700 people.
The national guard will be on alert. Local law enforcement agencies are communicating like never before.
DHS has warned that lone offenders and small groups of individuals can "mobilize to violence with little-to-no warning, particularly in response to confrontational encounters with perceived opponents or calls for escalation by key influencers."
The same Trump minion, Matt Braynard, who organized Saturday's rally, is planning similar rallies in 15 other states over the next month. Will they also require the same strict security and fences?
Turns out there's going to be a counter-rally at Freedom Plaza the same day. That doesn't bode well. It heightens the potential for violence. But with all the security that's going to be there the groups will be separated.
Rumors that the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers may attend are buzzing on social media platforms, but there's been no confirmation from either group.
The J6 rally is about supporting the rioters who assaulted the Capitol. Claims that the rioters are not getting justice and are being tortured in dark cells, echo throughout the right-wing messaging machine.
Based on what I've read and heard, this protest isn't going to be another Jan. 6. It will be another rally by extremists that's based upon lies, and it won't be the last.
I realize that the authorities don't want a repeat attack on the Capitol, but putting up that fence is a declaration of fear. What does the rest of the world think? That we've become a Banana Republic?
All the concerned agencies are prepared for the worst this time. Unlike the last time when the rioters caught everyone off guard.
The rally is scheduled to last a little more than an hour. Hopefully the fence will comedown immediately afterwards.
Related: Trump Defends Capitol Rioters Being 'Persecuted So Unfairly' Ahead of Sept. 18 Rally
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