Several dozen protesters gathered Sunday afternoon outside Washington state’s Capitol building, which is surrounded by temporary fencing and National Guard members.
Protesters — some opposing vaccines, some in support of President Donald Trump and others objecting to the closure of the building to the public during the upcoming legislative session — held signs and listened to speakers.
An armed supporter of President Donald Trump looks in at a gathering of Washington State Patrol troopers behind a perimeter fence during a rally, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Protesters from several causes rallied Sunday at the Capitol, the day before the 2021 legislative session was scheduled to begin.
Ted S. Warren / AP
An armed, right-wing group had encouraged its members to occupy the Capitol when the Legislature meets. However, an organizer of the planned occupation, Tyler Miller of the group Hazardous Liberty, canceled the event in a Facebook post Wednesday night.
“Due to our political leaders being non-responsive and the 100% likelihood that our event will be hijacked by people with ulterior motives, we have decided to cancel the Legislative Lockout event,” Miller wrote. “Please support the other rallies that are happening in and around Olympia this weekend and coming week.”
Organizers and leaders have acknowledged that people will likely still show and try to get into the building as momentum for the event exists following Wednesday when a violent pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in a deadly and stunning attempt to overturn America’s presidential election.
Sunday's event was small and peaceful, with many people leaving the area by 3 p.m., in comparison to another protest that took place Wednesday where Trump loyalists — some who were armed — stormed the governor’s property in Olympia.
A supporter of President Donald Trump listens to speakers during a rally, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Protesters from several causes rallied Sunday at the Capitol, which was secured with a perimeter fence and National Guard members, the day before the 2021 legislative session was scheduled to begin.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Later in the afternoon, Black Lives Matter protesters held their own event at Heritage Park adjacent to the Capitol Complex.
Earlier this week Gov. Jay Inslee activated the Washington State National Guard, authorizing 750 members of the Guard along with state police to be in Olympia ahead of the 2021 legislative session that begins Monday.
A person holds a sign that reads "Let Freedom Ring, Investigate Voter Fraud," during a rally, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Protesters from several causes rallied Sunday at the Capitol, the day before the 2021 legislative session was scheduled to begin.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Lawmakers plan to do their work through a mix of virtual meetings and on-site votes.
Leaders from both parties say the state constitution requires lawmakers to meet in person, however the public and lobbyists will have to watch the events virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislative proceedings will stream live online and on the state’s public affairs television network. Lawmakers are meeting in person Monday largely to adopt rules that will allow them to meet virtually during the rest of the session.
An armed supporter of President Donald Trump speaks casually with a Washington State Patrol trooper during a rally, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Protesters from several causes rallied Sunday at the Capitol, the day before the 2021 legislative session was scheduled to begin.
Ted S. Warren / AP
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Cline is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.