Security increased in Milwaukee ahead of any possible threats
Homeland Security vehicles were parked Tuesday in front of the Federal Building and Courthouse.
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Updated: 6:45 PM CST Jan 12, 2021
Security increased in Milwaukee ahead of any possible threats
Homeland Security vehicles were parked Tuesday in front of the Federal Building and Courthouse.
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Updated: 6:45 PM CST Jan 12, 2021
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REPORTER: WE FOUND HOMELAND SECURITY VEHICLES PARKED IN FRONT OF THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN MILWAUKEE TUESDAY. WINDOWS ARE BOARDED UP AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN MADISON WITH NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS PREPARING TO MOVE IN. IT’S A REACTION TO A WARNING FROM THE FBI THAT EXTREMISTS HAVE PLANNED ARMED PROTESTS AT ALL 50 STATE CAPITOLS. AND MADISON POLICE ARE PREPARING. >> PART OF OUR PHILOSOPHY OF COURSE IS TO FACILITATE FIRST AMENDMENT EXPRESSION AND THAT’S PART AND PARCEL TO WHAT WE DO. IT’S IN OUR DNA. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THINGS TO GO UNEXPECTEDLY. REPORTER: A NEW REPORT FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE SAYS THE FBI BELIEVES IT HAS CREDIBLE EVIDENCE OF A THREAT OF VIOLENCE ON SUNDAY AIMED AT THE MINNESOTA AND MICHIGAN STATE CAPITOLS. WE ASKED LOCAL AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ABOUT PREPARATIONS FOR POTENTIAL VIOLENCE AT GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN MILWAUKEE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE. THE MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT’S UNAWARE OF ANY CREDIBLE THREATS RIGHT NOW. BUT IT’S PREPARING IN THE EVENT OF ANY POTENTIAL THREATS MPD SAYS FOR SECURITY REASONS, IT CANNOT DISCUSS ANY OPERATIONAL PLANS. THE FBI TOLD 12 NEWS TODAY IT’S FOCUSED ON IDENTIFYING, INVESTIGATING, AND DISRUPTING INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INCITING VIOLENCE AND ENGAGING IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THE STATEMENT WENT ON TO SAY THE FBI RESPECTS THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS TO PEACEFULLY EXERCISE THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. OUR FOCUS IS NOT ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS, BUT ON THOSE THREATENING THEIR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER CITIZENS WITH VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION