The U.S. Capitol Police are set to re-install a fence around the Capitol building ahead of Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. According to a report from the New York Post, the fence will be built over the course of the coming week. U.S. Capitol Police are bracing for a potential trucker protest, similar to that of Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protest movement, that is set to arrive in Washington, D.C., for the March 1 speech.
A large fence had previously been installed around the Capitol Building following the January 6, 2021 election protests. The barrier previously remained up from January 7 through July of 2021, when the eight-foot-high fencing was removed. “We are prepared to quickly enhance our security posture should the need arise,” Acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said in a statement at the time.
Fearing demonstrations, the U.S. Capitol Police will begin to rebuild the fence this week. “The United States Capitol Police and the United States Secret Service have been closely working together to plan for the upcoming State of the Union,” the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement on Friday. The department added that they are “aware” of convoy protests that are set to arrive on March 1.
The Great American Patriot Project, a group of US trucker convoys inspired by the peaceful demonstrations in Canada, have been forming protests against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates in several U.S. cities. The group has encouraged truck drivers to join three convoys to Washington D.C. next month.
“The USCP is closely coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Park Police, the United States Secret Service and other allied agencies to include the DC National Guard,” Capitol Police officials said.
The razor-wire-topped fence was previously re-installed prior to September’s “Justice for January 6” rally.