SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a General Order Thursday, authorizing the deployment of 1,000 California National Guard personnel to protect critical infrastructure, including the State Capitol.
The deployment is just one of many measures state officials and law enforcement are taking in order to protect public safety in the Golden State's capital city. A large metal fence now surrounds the Capitol building as many prepare for possible civil unrest by pro-Trump supporters ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
Preparations began after an FBI bulletin, obtained by ABC News, warned law enforcement of possible protests beginning Jan. 16 and lasting through Jan. 20. As of Thursday, Jan. 14, no CHP-permitted events are scheduled for the Capitol grounds on Saturday or Sunday. However, precautions were being erected in the form of a 6-foot tall fence. This is the second barrier to surround the Capitol.
“In light of events in our nation’s capital last week, California is taking important steps to protect public safety at the State Capitol, and across the state,” Newsom said. “Our State Operations Center is actively working with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in assessing threats and sharing intelligence and information to ensure those disgraceful actions are not repeated here.”
It’s enough for some businesses like Good Bottle to close up shop altogether starting on Saturday until the inauguration is over.
"We always knew there was going to be a sense of frenzy this weekend, but we didn’t know it might cost people their lives," Charles Sinclair, the owner of Good Bottle said. "So we want to definitely just tell people to just go home, don’t come down here, be safe."
Sinclair said the dueling protests that have happened outside of the Capitol on most Saturdays since the election have decimated his business and after what happened in Washington D.C. last week, he’s not taking any chances.
"The last thing we want is to draw customers down here who are part of our community who, we can’t guarantee their safety or our safety," he said.
Still, some say the added security and fencing might be a waste of money.
“They’re causing other people like officials and police officers that there will be violence and disruption and then they do all of this and invest their time and money and time to this and then nothing happens, they’re just going to maybe stand outside and chant, that’s it," Charles Maxwell, a man walking by the Capitol as the fences were being put up said.
According to a press release from the governor's office, the State Operations Center will be coordinating 24-hour operations to prepare for and respond to any credible threats and requests for mutual aid over the coming days. The Law Enforcement Coordination Center (LEOC) will be activated to its highest level to orchestrate overall law enforcement and security needs.
"California will take every measure to ensure to protect public safety and our democratic principles and to ensure those disgraceful actions are not repeated here," Newsom said.
The governor's office will continue coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as private businesses, including social media companies. Those businesses that operate in social media will work with officials to make sure their platforms are not used by hate groups or domestic terrorists to organize or spread misinformation, disinformation, or propaganda.
On Wednesday, Newsom, the California State Senate and Assembly released a statement saying, "The Assembly, Senate, and Governor are working together in close cooperation to ensure the safety of everyone who works in or visits the Capitol. While we cannot address specific security steps, we are in constant communication with the CHP, Senate and Assembly Sergeants, and local law enforcement to keep the people’s house safe.”
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said people should steer clear of the State Capitol and surrounding areas due to potential security issues.
"The City is also coordinating with our local allied law enforcement agencies, which would include the California Highway Patrol and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, in our response to any future demonstrations," Steinberg said. "At this point, for security reasons, we will not be disclosing any specifics regarding plans, tactics, or intelligence gathered for any demonstrations that may occur in the future."
PHOTOS: Security fence erected around California State Capitol
The rallies wouldn't be the first protests held by Trump supporters at the state Capitol. Protests have routinely been held every Saturday since the 2020 election results were announced in November.
In one Saturday protest at the Capitol last month, more than 150 officers were deployed to keep the dueling groups separated. Police said three officers suffered minor injuries from objects being thrown around and from having lasers pointed in their eyes. One officer injured an ankle saving a person from being attacked, and 10 vehicles were vandalized by members of a group.
Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn said the violence harms a city struggling with the coronavirus outbreak and a rash of homicides.
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Hundreds of the President's supporters converged at Andrews Park, where social justice activists have been demonstrating weekly.