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A man with a knife was arrested near the Capitol, police said, and officers quickly broke up an argument during tense moments as dozens of people gathered to support the January 6 rioters surrounded by forces from the order, some wearing riot gear.
There were moments of tension before and after the largely peaceful rally ended on time.
The crowd, estimated at around 400 to 450 non-law enforcement personnel, began to dissipate, with the organizer urging participants to travel in groups and return home.
As people walked away from Union Square, the Capitol Police Civil Disruption Unit responded and separated a group of protesters and counter-protesters near Third Street and Pennsylvania Avenue without incident, the police said. police. No one was arrested.
A man who allegedly had a knife was arrested on a weapons charge around 12:40 p.m., U.S. Capitol Police said. It was not immediately clear whether they were attending the rally.
News4’s Mark Segraves captured video of police breaking up an argument between participants in the Justice for J6 rally and opposing protesters.
A handful of counter-protesters arrived as the Justice for J6 rally began, but the vocals were repelled by police. Authorities quickly intervened to break up an argument between opposing protesters, News4’s Mark Segraves reported.
Officers appeared to escort several people away from the gathering. No injuries or other arrests were reported.
The Justice for J6 rally put law enforcement on high alert after the insurgency and other incidents near the Capitol. Arlington police officers, delegated in an effort to beef up security, were seen wearing riot gear, WTO Alejandro Alvarez reported.
“We’re not taking any chances,” US Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said on Friday.
Prior to the rally, there were no reported incidents, arrests or confrontations near the Capitol, DC police told News4.
Rally organizer Matt Braynard, a former staff member of President Donald Trump who now heads a group called Look Ahead America, called for a peaceful protest. In his opening remarks, he asked people to think of the United States Capitol Police officers who died in the aftermath of the insurgency.
Speakers called the hundreds of people arrested in the Capitol riot “political prisoners”. Braynard wants people who are not accused of violence to be released.
Hundreds of people were arrested and charged in the Capitol riot. Scott MacFarlane of News4 reported that most “lower level cases” where defendants are not charged with damaging anything or injuring someone are charged with misdemeanors. The most serious charges are brought against those accused of conspiracy, conspiracy and planning.
A few dozen people and officers crowded a little over an hour before the time of the rally. News4’s Mark Segraves said there appeared to be more members of the press than protesters.
The crowd thickened when the rally began at noon in Union Square, about a block west of the Capitol. It was authorized for 700 participants.
Photos: Rally near Capitol to support DC January 6 defendants
Two layers of reinforced fencing separated a grassy area with a scene of the plaza around the Capitol reflecting pool.
Vendors were seen rolling carts downtown filled with US flags and affixed with signs saying “stop the theft,” a reference to unfounded allegations of fraud in the 2020 election.
At least one counter-protester was using a cart to spin a large sign that read “Loser”.
A high fence reinforced with concrete barriers is blocking free access to the People’s House and members of the National Guard are on standby – but they will not be armed, officials said.
Alexis Wittman was near the rally site a few hours before the start of the event. She brought a sign saying “it is not a crime to hold a sign”.
“I have friends who warn me, ‘be careful, be careful’, but you can’t let that take away your freedoms,” said Alexis Wittman. “I can be here and be a force for good if something happens.”
Thousands of police are scrambling to secure the U.S. Capitol and neighborhoods in Washington, DC on Saturday, anticipating that hundreds of protesters will converge in support of those accused of the Capitol riots. News4’s Derrick Ward reports.
Reinforced security for the rally
The Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Capitol Police said they plan to have “all hands on the bridge.”
“Your police department is here,” DC Police Chief Robert Contee said in a message filmed near the Capitol. “Enjoy our city, it’s a beautiful day, we’ve got everything planned.”
Police from local Maryland and Virginia departments have been called in to help, including Anne Arundel, Fairfax, Prince George and Montgomery counties, officials said.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said his department sent a large squad to DC, the many agencies in the capital region were collaborating successfully, and officials presented fictional scenarios.
“We are part of this national capital region. It is important for the whole region, ”he said. “What happened on January 6 cannot happen again.”
The United States Capitol Police released photos showing dozens of sworn-in officers on a closed street.
Manger said there had been “discussions” of threats or potential violence at the rally.
“It’s hard to say whether they are credible or not. We don’t know for sure, but what we do know is that this chatter we heard before Jan. 6 clearly turned out to be the case, ”Manger said.
Manger said the potential violence between these counter-protesters and rally participants is of great concern to his department. One of the three counter-protest groups had a history of clashes, he said. He did not specify or pronounce the name of the group.
Some counter-demonstrators were present, but police did not report any clashes resulting in injuries or arrests.
A counter-demonstration is planned about a mile away at Freedom Plaza, near the White House. Organizers say they have planned the DC Means Don’t Come rally “to remind the world that DC is not welcome for fascists.”
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