FL Prepares For Protests, Possible Violence Ahead Of Inauguration

FLORIDA — Following the Jan. 6 riots protesting the confirmation of Joe Biden as the 46th president at the U.S. Capitol building, the FBI and other agencies are warning there could more violence to come from far-right extremists.

Pres. Donald Trump’s supporters claim the election was rigged and accuse Biden of stealing the presidency.

The FBI issued a bulletin warning of armed protests in all 50 state capitols, as well as the U.S. Capitol from Saturday leading up to Biden’s Inauguration Day on Wednesday.

There’s some uncertainty about what this means for Florida, which Trump won in the election, claiming its 29 electoral college votes. While the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) warn of the potential for violent protests, the agencies didn’t discuss the full risk for Florida.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which monitors hate groups, said other states are more likely to be targeted by extremist groups than other states in the days ahead of Biden’s Inauguration.

Still, Florida ranks second in the country for active hate groups, SPLC said. The organization’s data also shows that the number of hate groups in the Sunshine State have increased since Trump took office in 2016.

The far-right Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio Jr., based in Miami, was arrested ahead of the Jan. 6 riots in Washington, DC because there was information that showed he planned to incite violence. In the week following the siege of the Capitol, a handful of Floridians were among those arrested for breaching the building and other charges.

Tallahassee and other Florida cities are taking threats of potential violence ahead of Inauguration Day seriously. Though the state Capitol complex in downtown Tallahassee is already closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic, Florida lawmakers are leaving the area for the long weekend and advising their staff to work remotely through at least Martin Luther King Day on Monday.

Government buildings near the state Capitol are closed through Inauguration Day. The city of Tallahassee will also shut down City Hall and Leon County will close the courthouse.

In a statement, the FDLE said, “We are aware of the information regarding possible protests and violence at state capitols. FDLE and Capitol Police continue to monitor the national situation and analyze information relevant to public safety. We regularly collaborate with our federal, state and local partners to discuss and implement security measures that enhance public safety at Florida’s Capitol.”

Will Manley, a spokesperson for the Florida National Guard, said they haven’t received any official requests to assist in Tallahassee.

“But we are standing by and prepared to assist however needed and directed by the governor,” he said.

The FNG is focusing its efforts on the upcoming presidential inauguration and plans to sent 600 soldiers and airmen to Washington, DC to help, he added.

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is among local agency preparing for potential violent protests in coming days.

“In Tallahassee, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office is working in collaboration with state and local law enforcement in response to the FBI bulletin that came out earlier this week and referenced the planned protests on the capitols,” Shade McMillian, public information officer, said.

To prepare for any violence that might arise, LCSO has canceled all leave for its officers through Inauguration Day and “we have deputies on standby for any kind of law enforcement response that would be needed,” he said.

There haven’t been any specific threats in Tallahassee, though, McMillian added. “The only information we have are there are planned protest and that is what we are planning for. We’ve had a number of protests since June, so it won’t be our first one. We’ve had two or three days of this before.”

He’s hopeful that anyone gathering at the state Capitol ahead of Inauguration Day will do so peacefully.

“We will uphold the Constitution and all people that protest will have their time to be heard, but also (we’ll be) keeping in mind public safety,” he said.

He expects any upcoming protests at the state Capitol to be similar in nature to Florida’s Jan. 6 rally.

“Those were people who followed suit with the U.S. Capitol protest and it was peaceful,” McMillian said. “It was peaceful. They got on the old lawn of the Capitol and demonstrated. That’s what we’re expecting Saturday and Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, whatever the case may be.”

Other parts of the state are preparing for protests, as well. The FBI held a security call with South Florida leaders about concerns of upcoming prof-Trump rallies. A pro-Trump caravan made its way through Miami Jan. 6.

The Tampa Bay Area Trump Train is hosting its weekly caravan Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon along I-275. The Villagers for Trump are hosting an “America First Rally” on Inauguration Day.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said that violence won’t be tolerated at an unrelated coronavirus vaccine press conference in The Villages Tuesday, reports said.

“If anything is disorderly, we are going to act very quickly,” DeSantis said. “I don’t care why you are doing it. You are not doing it here. If there’s any type of disorder we will have the reinforcements there.”

Patch reached out to the Tallahassee Police Department for comments.