Florida

Preparations underway in Tallahassee for possible Inauguration Day protests

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Security concerns have law enforcement across the state preparing for protests at the Capitol in Tallahassee.

The preparation comes after the FBI received word of plans by supporters of President Donald Trump to storm state capitols across the country on Inauguration Day.

READ: Florida reports more than 9,800 new COVID-19 cases as governor announces plan to expand Publix vaccination program

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said they have a unified command made up of officers from federal, state and local agencies from across the state.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has also activated the Army National Guard nearby should they be needed.

READ: National Guard contingent this year ‘almost three times the size’ of prior inaugurations

In Tallahassee, City Hall and the county courthouse are shut down Tuesday and Wednesday, just in case.

However, although protests were expected over the weekend, they did not occur.

READ: Chaos at the Capitol: 12 National Guard members removed from Biden inauguration

The mayor said he respects the rights of people wanting to protest, but he said violence and destruction of property won’t be tolerated.

Jeff Deal

Jeff Deal, WFTV.com

I joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in 2006.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.