United States: Washington on high alert ahead of pro-Trump protests

Massive security measures are being put in place in Washington, this Sunday, January 17, 2021. AP - John Minchillo

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

A day of high tension in the United States.

Authorities everywhere are on alert as thousands of pro-Trump protesters gather outside state capitol buildings.

Important security measures have been put in place to prevent a repeat of the January 6 outbursts in Washington.

Publicity

Read more

With our correspondent in New York,

 Loubna Anaki

Around the White House, around the Capitol, all of downtown Washington is blocked by police vehicles.

Checkpoints have been installed everywhere.

In anticipation of Joe Biden's inauguration, the city has been placed under high protection.

A device that could be put to the test this Sunday.

Thousands of

pro-Trump

protesters have come together again to denounce what they believe to be a stolen election.

A man was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon and 500 ammunition during a check.

He was released after several hours.

The police determined that he was in fact a security guard and forgot that he had left his gun in the trunk of his car.

Demonstrations are due to start this Sunday in other states where security has, again, been reinforced around local capitol buildings to avoid the same scenes of

January 6

.

To read also: United States: D-3 of the nomination, Harrisburg is preparing for a coup by pro-Trump

The FBI says it fears in particular that supporters of Donald Trump will come armed.

Several states have simply decided to close their Capitol Hill until the end of next week.

Also to listen: United States: the city of Washington, transformed into an entrenched camp

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • United States

  • Joe biden

On the same subject

REPORTAGE

United States: D-3 of the nomination, Harrisburg prepares for a coup by pro-Trump

United States: Joe Biden wants to act quickly after taking office

Accents of the world

United States: the city of Washington, transformed into an entrenched camp