Protest

16
Sep 2021
12:07 UTC

USA Tactical: ‘Justice for J6’ protest rally to be held at Union Square in Washington, DC from 12:00 (local time) on September 18; avoid nonessential travel

Please be advised

  • The NGO Look Ahead America led by Matt Braynard, an aide to former President Donald Trump, has called for a protest rally in support of the hundreds arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riots in Washington, DC, on September 18. Protesters will gather at Union Square on the west lawn of the US Capitol from 12:00 (local time).  
  • The protest is being held under the banner ‘Justice for J6’ to demand that the Justice Department drop charges against individuals who allegedly participated in the January 6 Capitol riot that left four participants and one police officer dead.  
  • The US Capitol Police (USCP) has confirmed that a fence is being installed around the US Capitol, while the National Guard has been ordered to remain on standby should the need for extra assistance arise during the rally. Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of law enforcement personnel being deployed during the planned rally. The USCP has also issued an emergency declaration, which authorizes personnel from other agencies to be deployed as “special” Capitol Police officers on September 18.  
  • The Deputy Mayor for Public Safety has stated that there have been calls on online platforms frequented by far-right groups like the Oath keepers and Proud Boys, whose supporters have been accused of partaking in the January 6 riots, to come armed for the planned rally. Additionally, according to a USCP intelligence memo, there is an indication of possible violence against Jewish centers and liberal churches while law enforcement focuses on the rally. 
  • On September 13, USCP agents detained a California resident in possession of multiple weapons in the vicinity of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in Washington, DC. The suspect’s truck was painted with white supremacist and neo-Nazi symbols. Earlier on August 19, authorities detained an individual who claimed to have an explosive in a truck outside the Library of Congress near the US Capitol.  

Assessments

  1. Based on recent protests organized by Look Ahead America, as well as intelligence gathered by federal sources, the protest rally is expected to draw a turnout ranging in the mid-to-high hundreds, with several members of Congress invited to attend the demonstration. However, reports indicate that no sitting member of Congress is scheduled to partake in the rally.  
  2. Given recent security incidents in the vicinity of the US Capitol, as well as online activity on far-right platforms, there is a potential for unrest in the form of clashes between protesters and authorities near the US Capitol, as well as small-scale attacks, including vehicular ramming and shootings, across Washington, DC. While activists associated with  Look Ahead America are less likely to resort to severe violence during the rally, the protest is nonetheless expected to draw more radical supporters of the aforementioned far-right groups. There is a potential for radical protesters to be armed during the rally.  
  3. That said, based on the precautionary security measures being adopted ahead of the rally, a breach of the Capitol as witnessed on January 6 remains unlikely, especially given that authorities are installing special surveillance equipment outside the Capitol to monitor the rally. Security response to any potential security incident is expected to be prompt and at heightened levels throughout the day. In the event of widespread unrest, authorities are likely to use forced dispersal methods, including tear gas and baton charge, as well as conduct mass arrests.  
  4. Major traffic disruptions in the vicinity of the Capitol can be expected throughout the day, with pre-emptive road closures and security cordons likely around the protest location.   

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in Washington, DC, on September 18 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of the US Capitol due to the elevated potential for unrest and potential small-scale attacks. 
  2. Maintain vigilance across the city, especially in the vicinity of Jewish centers and liberal charges, for potential violence as indicated in the USCP intelligence memo. Alert authorities immediately upon witnessing suspicious items or behavior. 
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Low
AFFECTED AREA Washington, DC, USA
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Please be advised

  • The NGO Look Ahead America led by Matt Braynard, an aide to former President Donald Trump, has called for a protest rally in support of the hundreds arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riots in Washington, DC, on September 18. Protesters will gather at Union Square on the west lawn of the US Capitol from 12:00 (local time).  
  • The protest is being held under the banner ‘Justice for J6’ to demand that the Justice Department drop charges against individuals who allegedly participated in the January 6 Capitol riot that left four participants and one police officer dead.  
  • The US Capitol Police (USCP) has confirmed that a fence is being installed around the US Capitol, while the National Guard has been ordered to remain on standby should the need for extra assistance arise during the rally. Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of law enforcement personnel being deployed during the planned rally. The USCP has also issued an emergency declaration, which authorizes personnel from other agencies to be deployed as “special” Capitol Police officers on September 18.  
  • The Deputy Mayor for Public Safety has stated that there have been calls on online platforms frequented by far-right groups like the Oath keepers and Proud Boys, whose supporters have been accused of partaking in the January 6 riots, to come armed for the planned rally. Additionally, according to a USCP intelligence memo, there is an indication of possible violence against Jewish centers and liberal churches while law enforcement focuses on the rally. 
  • On September 13, USCP agents detained a California resident in possession of multiple weapons in the vicinity of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in Washington, DC. The suspect’s truck was painted with white supremacist and neo-Nazi symbols. Earlier on August 19, authorities detained an individual who claimed to have an explosive in a truck outside the Library of Congress near the US Capitol.  

Assessments

  1. Based on recent protests organized by Look Ahead America, as well as intelligence gathered by federal sources, the protest rally is expected to draw a turnout ranging in the mid-to-high hundreds, with several members of Congress invited to attend the demonstration. However, reports indicate that no sitting member of Congress is scheduled to partake in the rally.  
  2. Given recent security incidents in the vicinity of the US Capitol, as well as online activity on far-right platforms, there is a potential for unrest in the form of clashes between protesters and authorities near the US Capitol, as well as small-scale attacks, including vehicular ramming and shootings, across Washington, DC. While activists associated with  Look Ahead America are less likely to resort to severe violence during the rally, the protest is nonetheless expected to draw more radical supporters of the aforementioned far-right groups. There is a potential for radical protesters to be armed during the rally.  
  3. That said, based on the precautionary security measures being adopted ahead of the rally, a breach of the Capitol as witnessed on January 6 remains unlikely, especially given that authorities are installing special surveillance equipment outside the Capitol to monitor the rally. Security response to any potential security incident is expected to be prompt and at heightened levels throughout the day. In the event of widespread unrest, authorities are likely to use forced dispersal methods, including tear gas and baton charge, as well as conduct mass arrests.  
  4. Major traffic disruptions in the vicinity of the Capitol can be expected throughout the day, with pre-emptive road closures and security cordons likely around the protest location.   

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in Washington, DC, on September 18 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of the US Capitol due to the elevated potential for unrest and potential small-scale attacks. 
  2. Maintain vigilance across the city, especially in the vicinity of Jewish centers and liberal charges, for potential violence as indicated in the USCP intelligence memo. Alert authorities immediately upon witnessing suspicious items or behavior. 
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Low
AFFECTED AREA Washington, DC, USA
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible