Far-right groups have organized a “Justice for J6” rally in support of those who were charged with crimes in connection to the tumult in the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, throughout which a mob stormed the Capitol complex and delayed the certification of the presidential election results by several hours.
Roughly 140 police officers were injured in the riot. Another officer died a day later, after engaging with the mob. And four additional officers have died by suicide in the subsequent months.
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Law enforcement officials are bracing for possible violence at the rally. The House sergeant-at-arms asked members of Congress and their staffs to dodge the Capitol building on Sept. 18.
"Unless required to be onsite, Members and staff are strongly encouraged to avoid the U.S. Capitol Complex on September 18th," House Sergeant at Arms William Walker wrote in a memo sent chamber-wide on Tuesday evening.
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If they have to visit Capitol Hill on Saturday, House lawmakers and their employees have to park in underground garages and move between buildings by way of underground tunnels, instead of walking outside, Walker advised.
Graham told the New York Times : “They need to take a firm line, buddy.”
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“If anybody gets out of line, they need to whack ’em,” Graham announced.
Capitol Police recently reinstalled temporary fencing around the U.S. Capitol building in response to what it called “concerning online chatter” about the planned rally.
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The department announced Wednesday that it asked the Department of Defense for the ability to get National Guard support should the need arise on Sept. 18.
Organizers of the rally expect approximately 700 people to attend, according to a permit application.
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In the meantime, organizers of Saturday's demonstration seem to be taking steps of their own to promote a peaceful event. On Tuesday, Matt Braynard, an organizer and former Trump campaign staffer, asked participants not to wear symbols or slogans praising former President Trump — a far cry from the dynamics on Jan. 6, when demonstrators displayed all manner of Trump flags, hats, clothing, and paraphernalia.
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“We request that anybody attending our events not wear any clothing or have signs supportive of either President Trump or Biden,” Braynard wrote.
“Anyone not honoring this request will be assumed to be an infiltrator and we will take your picture, find out who you are, and make you famous.”
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