The National Guard was mobilized for Washington, DC, ahead of the planned pro-Trump demonstrations this week, while Congress meets to certify the election results.
The Guard will be used to help control crowds and manage traffic, said the police chief. Mayor Muriel Bowser requested that the Guard be activated and urged residents and others to be safe and cautious.
“We are asking DC residents and people living in the region to avoid confrontations with anyone looking for a fight,” said Bowser. “And the best way to do that is to avoid the area.”
Congress is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to formally count the votes of the Electoral College. President Donald Trump lost the election, but alleged unsubstantiated fraud. On Tuesday, Georgia will hold second-round elections that will determine which party controls the Senate.
Organizers plan to meet Tuesday night at Freedom Plaza and all day on Wednesday at Ellipse, including a 1 pm march on Wednesday to the Capitol, the Associated Press reported.
Trump encouraged the demonstration and on Sunday tweeted “I’ll be there. Historic day!” while retweeting a message about the event planned for Wednesday.
More than 300 officials from the District of Columbia National Guard will support the city government on Tuesday and Wednesday, providing crowd control at subway stations and assisting in the closure of streets, the guard said in a statement.
Gen Brig William J. Walker, Commander General of the DC National Guard, said they would be in a supporting role.
Acting Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert Contee has warned protesters and anyone else that guns are not allowed.
“We have received some information that there are individuals with the intention of bringing firearms into our city, and that will simply not be tolerated,” said Contee.
In December, several people were stabbed during clashes over a pro-Trump rally.
A leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, was arrested on Monday after entering Washington after being accused of burning a Black Lives Matter plaque that had been torn from a historic Black church during the December 12 rally. He would also have two high-capacity magazines, the police said.
