Arizona Capitol Increases Security After U.S. Capitol Riots

PHOENIX — Over 1,000 people gathered at the Arizona Capitol Wednesday at the same time as rioters in support of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. After protesters broke glass windows and erected a guillotine on the grounds, the Arizona Department of Public Safety brought out fencing to protect the state building that evening.

Sgt. Kameron Lee, a spokesperson for DPS, which handles security at the center of Arizona's government, confirmed the extra security to Patch but would not comment on the details. He said the department is continuing to monitor the situation locally and nationally.

"Out of an abundance of caution, fences have been erected at the State Capitol complex to protect property," he said. "Security procedures at the State Capitol were previously enhanced, not for one specific event, but to ensure the safety of the public."

ABC News reported that the FBI has received warnings of an "uprising" through Inauguration Day, with armed protests planned at all 50 state capitols and at the U.S. Capitol.

ABC also reported that the FBI has received information on a group calling for “storming” state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings if Trump is removed from office prior to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Law enforcement agencies have been advised to increase security at government buildings as a result.

A spokesperson for the FBI told Patch it is supporting law enforcement across the U.S. with maintaining public safety in every community.

"Our efforts are focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals that are inciting violence and engaging in criminal activity," the spokesperson said in a statement. "As we do in the normal course of business, we are gathering information to identify any potential threats and are sharing that information with our partners. Our focus is not on peaceful protesters, but on those threatening their safety and the safety of other citizens with violence and destruction of property."

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich did not respond to Patch's request for comment Tuesday. But he did comment on Wednesday's violence on his official Twitter account.

"This is America. We do not destroy buildings and institutions in order to save them," he wrote. "I encourage everyone to express themselves in a peaceful way and I hope our elected officials will listen to the concerns of the people. We all need to stop the fighting and start the listening."

Arizona lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties have condemned the violence.

Several Arizonans were arrested on charges related to the attempted insurrection in Washington, D.C., including the 'QAnon Shaman' who has been a fixture at Phoenix rallies for some time.

Phoenix has been a center of protests since the Nov. 3 election, with crowds forming nightly outside the Maricopa County vote counting center as Biden won Arizona's 11 Electoral College votes. Eight lawsuits were filed alleging fraud in Arizona's elections; all were tossed out by judges. To date, no evidence of widespread fraud has been found in the state.

A handful of protesters were present Monday as the Arizona Legislature began its 2021 session, with most holding signs expressing their views.