National Guard to assist DC police at pro-Trump demonstrations, businesses board up again
WASHINGTON (WJLA) — The D.C. National Guard will offer support to the city's police department as the nation's capital prepares for the planned pro-Trump demonstrations on Wednesday. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Monday she requested the troops and roughly 100 will be on site.
Guard troops will assist with crowd management and traffic control Tuesday through Wednesday so police officers can focus on individuals possibly attempting to engage in violent behavior during the rallies, D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee III said Monday during Bowser's news conference.
"Avoid the downtown area and especially avoid people who are coming here to look for confrontations," Bowser said, urging residents to stay home.
Contee said guns are not allowed at the demonstrations and anyone in violation of city law will be arrested. Under D.C. law, it is illegal to openly carry guns in the city. Members of the public and anyone attending the events are prohibited from carrying a gun within 1,000 feet of any First Amendment activity.
The law also states it's illegal to possess a gun on the U.S. Capitol grounds and on National Park Service areas like Freedom Plaza, the Ellipse, and the National Mall.
"Firearms are not permitted,” Contee said. “I repeat firearms are not permitted. In the demonstration area there are signs that are posted. Anyone in violation of the posted signs or in violation of DC law will be arrested."
Contee said he may shut down Black Lives Matter Plaza completely, “because it is a flashpoint for contentious interactions between demonstrators."
The police chief is urging the public to report anyone they witness carrying a gun at the protest to the police department.
Contee also says police will increase their presence in the areas of Black churches that were vandalized during the previous pro-Trump demonstrations.
Contee said Trump supporters destroyed Black Lives Matter signs at churches.
Terry Lynch noted Asbury United Methodist Church replaced its sign days later but somebody stole it again.
"We've asked the police for 24-hour presence, visible presence at congregations," Lynch said. "They now have churches on their radar screen as potential targets given what's already happened."
But some church people arriving in town to support Trump are saying the election was stolen. They say it’s about good versus evil.
"Donald Trump has done a lot of things in this country for Christians,” one said. “He stood up for us, so we're standing up for him."
After unrest and violence erupted during the previous pro-Trump demonstrations, D.C. police arrested 33 people during the weekend of Dec. 12.
On Monday, the National Park Service issued a permit to the group Women For America First to gather at the southeast and southwest quadrants of the Ellipse. The public gathering permit allows the group to gather until 8 p.m. Jan. 8. Members of the far-right Proud Boys group are also planning to attend in record numbers.
The protests are planned for Wednesday, the day Congress meets to formally count electoral votes and affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
A "Stop the Steal" rally has also been announced for Tuesday night at Freedom Plaza from 5 to 8 p.m. Speakers expected to include two Trump political advisors, Roger Stone and George Papadopolous, who were both pardoned by the president after they were convicted of federal crimes in Robert Mueller's Special Counsel investigation.
Last week, the 'Black Lives Matter D.C.' group called for D.C. hotels to close its doors for the pro-Trump demonstrations after Hotel Harrington announced that it would be closed on Jan. 4, 5, and 6 "for the safety of visitors and employees."
