Hoping for peace ahead
The FBI's warning in an internal bulletin could not be more clear, or distressing: “Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the U.S. Capitol from 17 January through 20 January ...” Goodness gracious.
The FBI is concerned that violence may be on the way as President Trump exits the White House next week. The internal bulletin came a few days after the horrific siege of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters in which police shot and killed one woman, a Capitol police officer died after being attacked, and three people died from what authorities said were medical emergencies.
Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the AntiDefamation League's Center on Extremism, told The Associated Press that “a lot of people were energized by what happened last week” and that authorities in state capitals and major U.S. cities should brace for the possibility of violent protests. This is underway in Oklahoma City.
Gov. Kevin Stitt has conferred with members of the Oklahoma National Guard. Following last week's events, Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall requested a briefing from the Department of Public Safety about security plans, and came away satisfied. McCall's spokesman said increased security is in place at the Capitol and that DPS “is prepared for any scenario in partnership with other law enforcement entities.”
DPS routinely plans for using extra personnel whenever large, planned events are scheduled at the Capitol, the agency's spokeswoman said.
Public officials and agencies are getting some help from the private sector. The board of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association is urging its members to avoid a rally that may happen Sunday at the Capitol.
The organizer of that rally is unclear, although AP reported that state capital events set for that day apparently are being promoted by backers of the fringe “boogaloo” movement, whose followers are anti-government and pro-gun.
The planned event here, the Second Amendment Association said, “is nothing more than a ploy to escalate otherwise peaceful lawabiding citizens into a frenzy to damage state and private property.” Oklahomans would be wise to stay away from such a thing, and most would.
Citing reports of the potential for more demonstrations, President Trump issued a statement Wednesday urging no violence or vandalism. Perhaps that will help.
However, if people do begin mustering at the Capitol, there is reason to believe it will be incident free. We saw no violence after the Nov. 3 election despite concerns voiced ahead of time by officials in some major U.S. cities. And, recall that as chaos and violence broke out in Washingtonon Jan. 6, Trump supporters — some openly carrying weapons, which is allowed in Oklahoma — rallied peacefully at the state Capitol. The Oklahoman's account said the rally “often took the tone of a tent revival, with praise for President Donald Trump and prayers for his protection.”
Here's a prayer that in coming days, law enforcement's concerns prove unfounded and that peace prevails.