| Detroit Free Press
Armed demonstrations across the U.S. capitals are expected to lead to the inauguration of Joe Biden as president on Wednesday, according to the FBI. This will include Michigan, where demonstrations can take place Sunday in the Lansing Capitol building. A militia group that described itself was planning to turn up, but the association – the Southeast Michigan militia – has since fallen back on the plans. Police in Michigan have stepped up their visibility at the Capitol in Lansing following the deadly January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, and following the FBI’s warning.
The first sign that appeared outside the Capitol paid tribute to the Michigan government, Gretchen Whitmer, for her ‘leadership, grace and integrity’. Whitmer activated the national guard on Friday in preparation for the expected protest on Sunday.
“Michigan police are leading security efforts in cooperation with the Michigan National Guard and other public safety agencies,” Whitmer communications director Tiffany Brown said Friday. complex to protect. , and the larger downtown of Lansing. “
Along with the Michigan National Guard, there is a 6-foot fence around the Capitol. The lower windows of the Romney building, where Whitmer and other government officials have offices, were covered with signs.
From 10:20 p.m. everything is calm at the Capitol and its surrounding areas.
There are currently not many, but there are members of the public starts arriving at the Michigan Capitol. A Greenville couple, for example, just traveled to Lansing because of their curiosity and the potential for a historic day.
Meanwhile, police officers in Michigan are getting their equipment near the Capitol.
The roads go down at 9am and the police presence is expected to grow. Michigan police recently increased their visibility at the Capitol in Lansing, as a by-product of the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC
“There will be a large presence of law enforcers out here,” said lt. Mike Shaw, Michigan State Police, said Sunday. “A little more than people are used to seeing. There will also be a lot of law enforcers out here that no one can see. It’s kind of fishing. We do not give out our bait. We do not give out where our fish secrets are. Just know that the Michigan Capitol is safe and that law enforcement is here.
“We are hoping for a very peaceful event today (whether it is 1,000 people) and whether it is just us.”
The street in front of the Michigan Capitol remains open to traffic this morning, but that will change soon. From 09:00, the roads leading to the Capitol will be closed until further notice.
These streets will be closed: Ottawa Street (between Pine Street and Grand Avenue), Allegan Street (between Pine Street and Capitol Street), Capitol Street (between Ionia Street and Allegan Street), Walnut Street (between Ottowa Street and Washtenaw Street) and Townsend Street (between Allegan Street and Washtenaw Street).
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor released a statement on Saturday morningand urges people to avoid the Capitol and surrounding areas due to the expected protests.
“In light of expected demonstrations at the Capitol building on Sunday, I urge everyone not to come to the Capitol and vicinity,” Schor said. Residents of Lansing city center should consider planning ahead to stay indoors and avoid this demonstration. … I ask residents and those living in the Lansing area to stay out of the city center and not to engage in protests with bad intentions. “
It is unclear if and when protesters will arrive at the Capitol building, but the Lansing police station expects a planned rally to begin at 12:00 p.m. The aggressiveness of the potential demonstration is also unknown.
Just after 8 a.m. Sunday, the Michigan Capitol is quiet with Michigan State Police guarding the area on foot. The George W. Romney Building – where the Governor’s Office is located – has shelves on its lower windows. Over the past few days, several companies with office buildings in Lansing have decided to add entries and bottom windows.