Michigan Capitol Security Bumped Up As Protest Rumors Mount

MICHIGAN — In April, hundreds of protesters — many armed with long rifles, fixed with bulletproof vests and some with more expansive gear — converged on Michigan's Capitol building and walked right in with no resistance.

Now, several months later and just days removed from a large scale riot at Capitol Hill that left at least five people dead and dozens arrested, there are rumors of another armed protest making its way to the Michigan Capitol building's doorstep.

Michigan wasn't specifically mentioned in a report by ABC, which cites an internal FBI memo that indicates there could be armed protests at capitols across the nation from Saturday to Jan. 20, the date of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. But Michigan State Police said they are aware of the reports and are upgrading security measures.

"We have already increased visible MSP presence at the Capitol, and these resources will remain in place for at least the next couple of weeks," Lt. Brian Oleksyk of the Michigan State Police said Tuesday.

Oleksyk said that the security enhancements include both seen and unseen measures, but that the agency doesn't typically discuss its security measures.

"We are aware of the online promotion of upcoming marches on state capitols," he said. "We are in communication with both federal officials and other states, and are likely to have more to share later this week regarding our preparations for this weekend."

Some officials in Lansing don't believe that's enough. Lansing City Council President Peter Spadafore has asked Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and Whitmer to deploy the Michigan National Guard ahead of the planned protests, according to a report from The Detroit News.

"What has been reported could very well be overblown, and these demonstrations may not reflect what we saw unfold in Washington, D.C., last week, but I believe it is imperative we take every precaution to ensure the best possible outcome to ensure the safety of our residents and those that peacefully gather," Spadafore wrote in the letter, according to The News.

Adding to the concern, some Michigan officials felt that even before rumors of planned armed protests began circling, the Michigan Capitol was unsafe.

"My job is not to provide state employees & residents or other visitors to our Capitol with a false sense of security, especially given the current state of affairs in Michigan and around the nation," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said on Twitter Tuesday morning. "I repeat-the Michigan Capitol is not safe."

Nessel's comments were directed to the decision by the Michigan Capitol Commission to ban the open carry of guns by unauthorized personnel Monday, a move she said gives a false sense of security by noting that "guns you can’t readily see are just as deadly as those you can."

The commission's decision came after supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday caused mayhem and riots when they breached the U.S. Capitol, overwhelming Capitol Police and forcing the evacuation of Congress. At least five people died in Washington, D.C. Wednesday amid the riots and dozens have been arrested.

The chaos on Capitol Hill reminded many Michiganders of those April protests, which were sparked by executive orders issued by Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Some of those armed protesters were later connected to a plot by a group of people who called themselves the "Wolverines Watchmen" and who plotted to try and kidnap and potentially kill Michigan's governor, according to federal officials.

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