State capitals barricaded, fenced, patrolled by troops

A double row of chain link fences surround the Arizona State Capitol. Windows on Illinois and Ohio state houses were closed. National Guard troops in camouflage uniforms and bulletproof vests and heavily armed state soldiers were stationed in state capitals across the United States ahead of scheduled protests on Sunday.

With the FBI warning of the potential for violence in all state capitals, the ornate halls of government and symbols of democracy looked more like well-guarded American embassies in war-torn countries.

Governors have declared a state of emergency, closed capitals to the public and called in troops ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.

They are trying to avoid a repeat of the mob riots that took place on January 6, when supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol, leaving a Capitol Police officer and four others dead.

Details were vague, but protests were expected in state capitals from Sunday until Biden was sworn into office on Wednesday.

Signs of increased security were abundant from Atlanta to Sacramento, Calif., Throughout the week.

SWAT officers stood guard at the Georgia State Capitol. A dog detecting a bomb sniffed its way through the capital of Jackson, Mississippi. State soldiers sat on the roof of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Sections of temporary fences that encircled many state capitals were locked together in Sacramento with handcuffs.

On Saturday, National Guard troops patrolled the California Capitol and the streets of downtown Sacramento.