Politics & Government
Minnesota Officials: ‘We Are Alert, And We Are Prepared’ Ahead Of Weekend Capitol Demonstrations
Walz on Wednesday activated the National Guard and has warned MN to stay away from the Capitol this weekend unless they have business there.
January 15, 2021
Minnesota state leaders are bracing for the potential of violent protests this weekend at the state Capitol following the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection by pro-Trump extremists.
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“We take the threats to our Capitol and citizens incredibly seriously,” Gov. Tim Walz said, referring to a recent FBI bulletin warning of potential for violent protests at all 50 U.S. capitals.
Walz on Wednesday activated the National Guard and has warned Minnesotans to stay away from the Capitol this weekend unless they have business there.
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Two events have received permits for demonstrations at the Capitol complex, including a Saturday event called “Freedom Fest” and a Sunday event called “Sunday Church Service,” intended to “pray for our elected officials.”
Despite its name, a “Storm the Capitol” event held in St. Paul remained peaceful with no attempts to breach the fence surrounding the Minnesota Capitol, which houses the Senate and House chambers, as well as offices for the governor and attorney general.
Walz appeared during a news conference on Friday with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington and other local officials .
“We are not panicking,” Flanagan said. “We are concerned. We are alert, and we are prepared.”
Harrington said his agency has developed a “robust” safety plan to ensure the security of the Capitol complex this weekend. “No detail has been overlooked,” he said.
“If you come to the Capitol to commit violent crime, we will stop you,” he said, while also clarifying: “There are still no credible threats to the Minnesota Capitol.”
The FBI bulletin that previously warned of the potential for a violence from an extremist group, the Boogalo Bois, is dated information, Harrington said.
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