A fence will be placed around the Capitol building next week ahead of President Joe Biden‘s State of the Union address in advance of a potential “Freedom Convoy” trucker protest.
U.S. Capitol Police and the Secret Service have been “working together” to plan for extra security measures after receiving reports about a potential protest on March 1, according to a statement from the Capitol Police. As part of increased security measures, a fence will be installed.
The two agencies have been working closely to “plan for the upcoming State of the Union,” Capitol Police said in the statement. “The temporary inner-perimeter fence is part of those ongoing discussions and remains an options, however at this time no decision has been made.”
SOME CAPITOL RAZOR WIRE FENCING REMOVED AFTER MONTHS OF TIGHT SECURITY
Capitol Police announced on Friday that “law enforcement agencies across the National Capitol Region” were aware that multiple trucker convoys, similar to those that have been clogging border crossings and cities in Canada, were going to arrive in Washington, D.C., on March. 1, according to the Capitol Police statement.
“As with any demonstration, the USCP will facilitate lawful First Amendment activity,” the Capitol Police said. “The USCP is closely coordinating with local, state and federal enforcement agencies, including DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Park Police, the United States Secret Service and other allies agencies to include the DC National Guard.”
Truckers referring to themselves as the “Freedom Convoy” have been protesting for several weeks over a rule that truckers returning from the U.S. to Canada to show proof of vaccination. Since then, multiple border crossings have become impassable to traffic, with Ambassador Bridge only recently reopening after multiple arrests were made.
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Following the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol, heightened security measures were placed around the building, including a fence. In March, some of the razor wire fencing placed around the perimeter was taken down.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the U.S. Capitol Police for a statement but did not receive a response.
