Raleigh quiet as law enforcement watches North Carolina Capitol before Biden takes office
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As law enforcement officials across America remain on high alert for homegrown terrorist activity ahead of the President Joe Biden inauguration, it seemed quiet in North Carolina's Capitol on Sunday, per social media.
Gov. Roy Cooper had mobilized hundreds of National Guard ahead of this weekend.
He wanted additional security to prevent violence and to support peaceful protest.
“Ongoing security concerns in Washington, D.C. and state capitals around the nation following last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol must be taken seriously, and I will deploy necessary resources to keep North Carolinians safe," Cooper wrote.
Police in Raleigh have both sides of Salisbury Street barricaded in front of the courthouse. Still very quiet downtown. I’ll be walking to the capitol shortly pic.twitter.com/6ERv5TwrG8
— Leigh Tauss (@LeighTauss) January 17, 2021
Barriers were erected around the Capitol in Raleigh and some nearby governmental buildings. State officials across the United States were on high alert this weekend and going toward the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration.
Washington, D.C., has become a green zone of militarized preparations to stave off right-wing terror activity following the deadly invasion of the U.S. Capitol.
Barricades around the state Capitol grounds in Raleigh. Heavy law enforcement presence. pic.twitter.com/FUle5U3pCv
— Mitchell Northam (@primetimeMitch) January 17, 2021
More: North Carolina legislature opens session subdued amid virus, DC unrest
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The buildings and grounds of the North Carolina General Assembly will have boosted security over the next several weeks after the invasion at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, several lawmakers said on Tuesday.
Cooper said 200 guardsmen are being sent to Washington to assist in security there. In North Carolina at least 350 will “support state and local authorities and protect the well-being of residents, property, and the right to peacefully assemble and protest,” the governor’s announcement says.
I continue to be briefed by law enforcement and National Guard leadership about security efforts over the coming days. I appreciate the hard work to protect against any efforts to undermine our democracy. - RC
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) January 14, 2021
These waist-high metal gates are up around the old courthouse and the Wake County Justice Center. A flyer circulating all 50 states called for an armed protest at noon. Still no protestors in sight. @WNCN #Raleigh pic.twitter.com/6TuUnlZ3Xx
— Mackenzie Stasko (@MackenzieStasko) January 17, 2021
— USA TODAY contributed information for this report.
This article originally appeared on The Courier-Tribune: North Carolina Capitol security zone sees quiet Sunday
