Ohio gov. activates more National Guard as Columbus shutters
By Farnoush Amiri and Andrew Welsh-Huggins - Report for America/Associated Press
Ohio Statehouse maintenance employees board up the windows of the building behind the United Spanish War Veterans Memorial statue in preparation for planned weekend protests in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. The Statehouse and all state buildings in downtown Columbus will be closed Sunday through Wednesday. (Adam Cairns/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) More than 1,000 Ohio National Guard members have now been activated to head to Washington in preparations for anticipated armed protests ahead of Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday.
Governor authorizes more Ohio National Guard soldiers ahead of inauguration Share Updated: 11:23 AM EST Jan 15, 2021 WLWT Digital Staff Share Updated: 11:23 AM EST Jan 15, 2021
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Show Transcript OHIO’S SECURITY GAME PLAN. CRACKING DOWN ON SECURITY AS UNCERTAINTY LOOMS. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY WHO WANT TO TURN PEACEFUL PROTESTS INTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIOLENCE. REPORTER: THE FBI WARNS THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE INAUGURATION COULD BE USHERED IN BY CHAOS. IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL AND CAPITAL CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MIKE DEWINE SIGNING A PROCLAMATION ACTIVATING THE NATIONAL GUARD. THIS OFFICIALLY MOBILIZES THE GUARD TO BE IN COLUMBUS AND ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE STATE THAT THEY ARE NEEDED. REPORTER: THE GOVERNOR SAYS TO EXPECT A SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE IN COLUMBUS. MORE NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ARE HEADING TO WASHINGTON. WE ARE SENDING UP TO 700 TO THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. REPORTER: 270 FROM KENTUCKY WILL HEAD TO WASHINGT
He asked people to avoid Downtown from Sunday through Wednesday. Police will be highly visible, Quinlan said. He said police will wear body cameras that will help to identify lawbreakers. There will be no tolerance for illegal activities, property destruction, he said.
Columbus police plans to send hundreds of officers to the Capitol Square area and other parts of Downtown on Sunday. Hundreds of Ohio National Guard members will also be Downtown to help State Highway Patrol troopers at the Statehouse and Columbus police. We re planning for a worst-care scenario, Ginther said.
Ginther said that the following buildings on the City Hall campus will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday: City Hall, 90 W. Broad St.; 77 N. Front St.; Michael B. Coleman Government Center, 111 N. Front St.; and the Beacon Building, 50 W. Gay St.