The attempt by the Capitol Police Department to make the fencing of the Capitol permanent after the January 6 riots is quickly pushed back by members of Congress and the public.
Vendors in and around Washington, DC, warn against the symbolism of permanent fencing around the building. Lawmakers say the barrier of ‘The People’s House’ cuts against a message of transparency and accountability to their constituents.
“Permanent fencing would send the wrong message to the nation and the world by transforming our democracy from one that is accessible and from the people to one that is exclusive and afraid of its citizens,” Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Eleanor Holmes NortonBowser says DC ‘will not accept’ that permanent fences around Capitol DC may win US House vote if he tries to grow Calls for a 9/11-style panel to investigate Capitol attack MORE (D), DC’s sole member of the House, wrote in a letter to law enforcement this week.
Norton ignored the proposal, saying it would not solve the Capitol’s security problem that erupted during the riot this month. Instead, she called it “another form of security theater” and said it would make the Capitol look safe, but would mask the lack of modern security measures that could prevent future attacks. ‘
Several other legislatures reflect similar sentiments against the permanent erection of the fence around the Capitol site.
‘I’m definitely against this action. A fence did not let us down. Law enforcement leaders have. I believe that our members, press, staff, my voters and everyone who works here can keep safe without repelling the symbol of our democracy. This is the People’s House – let’s keep it that way, ”Rep. Jennifer Wexton
Jennifer Lynn WextonPorter loses seat in the House Panel overseeing the financial sector. Democratic lawmakers are calling for Pence to call for the 25th amendment, Trump will remove 7 officials from office after a turbulent year in politics. (D-Va.) Tweeted this week.
I am definitely against this action.
A fence did not let us down. Law enforcement leaders have.
I believe that we can keep our members, press, staff, my constituents and everyone who works here safe without repelling the symbol of our democracy.
This is the People’s House – let’s keep it that way. https://t.co/JESNACPwve
– Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) 28 January 2021
Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) tweeted it would be a “mistake to turn the home of our democracy into a fortress” and called for the complex to remain open to “voters, press and visitors.”
‘This is the People’s House. I am stubbornly opposed, ” added GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik
Elise Marie Stefanik of House of Representatives asks for information on threats the national guard is holding in DC Lincoln project, Stefanik hits in a new ad about support for Trump Wyoming province votes to condemn Liz Cheney for accusing Trump. (NY). “No threat information has been given to members of Congress to justify this proposal.”
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
Muriel Bowser The investigation grows over the presence of the National Guard at Capitol The Morning Report of Hill – Presented by Facebook – What path will the Democrats take on the COVID-19 bill? Bowser says DC will no longer accept permanent fences around Capitol (D) on Thursday afternoon took an unwavering stance against the fence, saying the district will “not accept permanent fencing as a long-term institution in DC.”
The reprimands come after Yogananda Pittman, acting chief of police of the Capitol, asked that the fence be permanently around the Capitol to prevent further violence after the January 6 riot, which left several people dead.
The looting of the Capitol shook the confidence of lawmakers and city officials in the security measures in the Capitol after law enforcement officers unfortunately appeared unprepared for the mob, even though they knew in advance that the rally could turn violent.
The events unleashed a series of new security measures, including an intensified presence of law enforcement, more physical barriers, including fencing, as well as the deployment of about 25,000 troops of the national guard to protect the January 20 inauguration process.
Several journalists covering Capitol Hill acknowledged that the security breach that occurred during the uprising but also expressed concern about how permanent fencing would reduce access to the Capitol.
‘There is no doubt that the failure to establish a perimeter around the Capitol complex was a huge (if not the central) failure on 6 January. But it is worth considering what we can symbolically lose by erecting a permanent fence around the Volkshuis. , ” tweeted MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt.
‘One of the wonderful things about DC residents and millions of visitors is the public space at and around the Capitol. It will be a sad day if it disappears, ‘ added CNN’s Abby Phillip. “But also, what is being done about the intelligence failure that caused this attack to happen in the first place?”