MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – As protests are expected ahead of next week’s presidential inauguration in Washington, they’re also being planned to be held around state capitals like Madison.
“In Wisconsin, we are in constant contact. In fact, at the end of this day, I’ll have another briefing on security,” Evers said during a Friday media briefing.
In the aftermath of what happened on Capitol Hill on January 6th, there are concerns surrounding protests next week. Governor Tony Evers says security around the state Capitol is extensive.
“We have National Guard in place close to the Capitol, as well as people from the State Patrol, Capitol Police, Madison Police – they are all working together. I feel very confident this weekend,” Evers said. “We feel that we’re in a safe place here around the capitol…We are well prepared. There’s lots of rumors going around, and clearly we are not overreacting and certainly not under reacting.”
The state Capitol building remains closed amid the pandemic, with no Assembly or Senate sessions scheduled for that period of time, particularly in person.
This all comes as the head of the Wisconsin Capitol Police is reportedly telling state lawmakers to stay away from the building this weekend, and has suggested that they pull and personal information from social media accounts due to the threats.
Chief David Erwin reportedly told lawmakers that they are “not aware of specific credible threats to legislators,” but that they are continuing to monitor “active social media commentary regarding the threat of ongoing unrest.”
