Today’s right-wing rally has raised fears of potential violence on Capitol Hill, but it remains unclear how many protesters plan to attend
But it remains unclear how many protesters plan to attend. And the rally is taking place on a Saturday, when both chambers of Congress will be on recess, meaning far fewer lawmakers or staff will be in the area.
US Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told reporters Friday that the department has a “strong plan in place to ensure” the event “remains peaceful, and that if violence does occur that we can stop it as quickly as possible.”
Who are the organizers?
Meanwhile, “White Lives Matter” is advertising global demonstrations for September 18 and has been supportive of the January 6 insurrectionists online, but it does not have a DC chapter.
Who’s expected to attend?
Manger said Friday that Capitol Police still do not know how many people to expect, but that event organizers secured a permit for 700 attendees in Washington.
No sitting member of Congress is scheduled to appear at the rally. But the speaker lineup includes two Republican congressional candidates — Mike Collins, who’s running for a House seat in Georgia, and Joe Kent, who is running to unseat Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington state, a Republican who voted to impeach Trump.
What are law enforcement officials expecting?
Law enforcement officials are bracing for potential clashes and unrest during the rally, according to an internal Capitol Police memo reviewed by CNN.
There’s been a noticeable uptick in violent rhetoric around the event and heated discussions centered on Babbitt’s shooting on social media and discussion boards, according to the memo. The document warns that many individuals may also see September 18 as a “Justice for Ashli Babbitt” rally, which could be cause for concern, and it’s not unreasonable to plan for violent altercations.
There have been additional discussions of violence associated with the event, with one online chat suggesting violence against Jewish centers and liberal churches while law enforcement is distracted that day.
Capitol Police is aware of three separate groups that may counter protest on Saturday, Manger said Friday, adding, “Two of the groups haven’t had much of a history of violence, one of them has had some clashes before.”
DHS also warned of potential violence on the day before the rally.
The department said an additional challenge for law enforcement is the likely use of encrypted or closed communication platforms by those seeking to commit violence.
What security steps will be in place?
CNN has learned that DC police will be fully activated Saturday, and the DC National Guard will be ready to provide assistance in case of an emergency, a source familiar with security conversations around the event told CNN.
The US Capitol Police reinstalled new temporary fencing Wednesday night around the Capitol complex ahead of the rally.
Fencing had been erected around the Capitol following the January 6 riot but was eventually pared back and removed over the summer.
Several road closures will be in effect around the Capitol and Constitution Avenue, with a possibility for additional intermittent closures, DC Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee told reporters Friday.
Additionally, Capitol Police said in a statement Monday that its board had “issued an emergency declaration, which will go into effect about the time of the demonstration and allow the Department to deputize outside law enforcement officers as United States Capitol Police Special Officers.”
TSA is also ramping up security at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, telling travelers to expect to see more security officers and K-9s at the airport over the weekend.
What are lawmakers saying about the security preparations?
After Manger briefed the top four congressional leaders about security preparations for the rally, House Speaking Nancy Pelosi told reporters the planning “seems much better.”
But Pelosi also noted she doesn’t “have anything to compare it to, because we weren’t briefed before,” referring to the January 6 insurrection. “So it’s not like I can compare it to before but … I’m sure we’ll have ongoing communication,” she added after leaving the briefing.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer similarly said he believes Capitol Police are “well prepared, thorough, professional, and I think they’re better prepared than people were before January 6.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Jessica Schneider, Whitney Wild, Geneva Sands, Zachary Cohen, Pete Muntean and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.
