Hartford taking safety precautions ahead of ‘No Kings Day' protests
At the state capitol in Hartford the barricades are out, but they're not up. This scene is playing out all across Connecticut.
Law enforcement agencies in Connecticut preparing for 'No Kings' protests Saturday
With dozens of rallies and celebrations, including Juneteenth, and protests planned for around the state, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam (D) are asking people to please keep it safe.
Police are setting up the barricades on the capitol ground as the Hartford Symphony Orchestra plays in the background. The musicians are rehearsing for Saturday's concert in Bushnell Park and the celebrations around Juneteenth.
Meanwhile, just steps up the hill, Capitol Police anticipate as many as 6,000 protesters rallying against the president's policies. Starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, no vehicles will be allowed on the capitol grounds.
Connecticut State Police, and Capitol Police will have a lot of extra security on hand as Gov. Lamont and Attorney General William Tong (D) spoke about earlier this week.
'You should continue to exercise your right to speak and protest, lawfully and peacefully,' said AG Tong.
'Right now I think our state police and municipal police working together will keep us safe as they always have,' said Gov. Lamont.Hartford and New Haven will also be ready, but not in the way.
'We have our officers on standby and we will let the protesters do their thing, as long as their thing isn't doing damage or being violent or burning anything,' New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson said.
This week there have been protests from Meriden to New Haven regarding detainments by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They were loud and emotional, but peaceful so far. Protesters are upset at President Trump ramping up ICE raids and calling in the National Guard and Marines to California.
'We would bring more in if we needed it, because we have to make sure there's going to be law and order,' President Trump said.
As the protests play out in the streets, the government is also asking people on work visas to go back to their country.
The capitol grounds will be shut down by 7 a.m. to all vehicular traffic. Law enforcement officials anticipate more than two dozen protests across the state Saturday.
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