D.C. braces for possible protests around State of the Union address

[Wicked Blue]

Washington Post
By Peter Hermann, Julie Zauzmer Weil and Ellie Silverman

The Secret Service and other federal and local authorities are preparing for possible demonstrations and disruptions ahead of President Biden’s first State of the Union address at the Capitol on Tuesday night.

In addition to possible protests before or during the president’s annual address to Congress, people inspired by the self-styled “Freedom Convoy” that occupied downtown Ottawa for weeks are expected to converge in the region to decry coronavirus-related restrictions, although most might not arrive until later this week.

Heightened security measures were evident over the weekend when officials encircled the Capitol complex with temporary fencing previously installed after the Jan. 6 insurrection. The D.C. National Guard has been called upon for assistance, and on Monday busloads of about 100 police officers from New York City arrived to help. Police from Philadelphia are also in the District, and Baltimore officers are on standby, officials said.

At a news briefing, D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said that lawful First Amendment demonstrations would be welcome, but police would take action in the event of illegal activity. The possibility of caravans of truckers heading to the District has added to the security concerns, drawing in police agencies from Maryland and Virginia to monitor the Beltway.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/02/28/protests-state-union-police-security/


Maryland and Virginia drivers can easily block parts of the Beltway to foil the convoy. They do it every day.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Don't forget Metrorail. They're doing their part by disabling all the escalators.

Bonus roadblock: if you don't have the new SmarTrip card, you're out of luck. The old ones won't work anymore, as of today.