Officials: Minnesota ready, but no 'credible' threats to Capitol currently
Updated: Jan. 15, 1:17 p.m. | Posted: Jan. 14, 1:26 p.m.
State public safety officials say law enforcement is ready to protect Minnesota’s Capitol and keep people safe amid worries of violence against the Capitol complex this weekend — although there are currently no credible threats.
The FBI Minneapolis field office in late December had warned of potential extremist threats to the Minnesota and Michigan capitols this Sunday. That led Gov. Tim Walz to activate the Minnesota National Guard.
The intelligence, though, has shifted since that December report and right now the FBI sees “no credible, local immediate threat to the state of Minnesota,” Minnesota Public Safety Director John Harrington told reporters Friday.
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Still he vowed “if you come to the Capitol with criminal intent on your minds … we will stop you.”
While law enforcement respects the rights of people to exercise their First Amendment rights, he said, “we also take our responsibility and our commitment to protect life, protect liberty and to keep the peace just as seriously.”
Security officials have asked Minnesotans to consider staying away from the Capitol complex unless they have specific planned activities or business there. There will be traffic restrictions and an increased law enforcement presence near the Capitol over the coming week.
Security has already been stepped up around the state Capitol, which has been closed to the general public for months due to the pandemic.
A fence has circled the building since unrest erupted last summer over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. State troopers, National Guard soldiers and conservation officers are or will be standing guard and traffic restrictions will be in place.
While foot traffic will be allowed, only state employees, contractors, deliveries and people with official state business will be allowed to drive in the restricted area around the building.
Officials have granted two permits for this weekend to the group that organized last week's “Storm the Capitol” rally in St. Paul, which was peaceful but coincided with the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Hold the Line MN has scheduled a “Freedom Fest” for Saturday and a church service on Sunday.
Organizer Becky Strohmeier said Sunday’s event is by invitation only for about 20 friends, while she expected “much less” than the permitted 150 people for Saturday’s event. The Facebook-based group has held regular Saturday protests at the Capitol since the election.
Listen: Gov. Tim Walz and public safety officials speak on Capitol security preparations: