Pa. Capitol protests: Quiet, peaceful Sunday in Harrisburg amid planned protests

Orange fences blocked off the stairs of the state Capitol as men dressed in military fatigues and combat gear walked back and forth — rifles in hand — ready for whatever might come.

Officials had anxiously prepared for protests Sunday, anticipating potential violence and chaos after rumors circulated online and a warning was issued by the FBI that protests were planned at state capitols in anticipation of the presidential inauguration.

But at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, things remained mostly quiet with law enforcement and journalists far outnumbering the small group of demonstrators who had gathered. 

Dozens of state police and National Guard members stood guard or patrolled outside the Capitol. Police vehicles surrounded the property, limiting access to the building and restricting travel. 

The scene, cold and quiet, mirrored a day earlier. No crowds gathered Saturday either. 

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'I don't know what to believe' 

Alex, 33, a Pennsylvania native from Hershey who declined to provide his last name, was out jogging with his dog Max when he was swarmed by a group of reporters. As one of the few people outside the capitol Sunday, it was hard to miss the man wearing a sweatshirt with the words, "Fraud 2020" printed on it. 

He said he wasn't sure what to believe when a reporter asked him if he thought President-elect Joe Biden won the election — an answer that seemed rather obvious given Alex's choice of clothing. 

"There’s so much conflicting stuff out there," he said. "How do you pick what’s true and what’s not? I don’t even know."

He had been one of the pro-Trump supporters gathered in Washington on Jan. 6 and participated in the rally in which the president encouraged rioters to march to Congress and "show strength."

Alex did not storm the Capitol that day unlike others, but recorded a video of himself singing the national anthem which was later removed from social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, he said: "This is communism bro."

"Let’s put it this way," Alex said regarding the events that unfolded in Washington two weeks ago, "nothing gets accomplished by breaking things. However, I’ve seen how it’s been portrayed in the media and that’s not how it was."

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And though things remained mostly quiet Sunday, possibly the biggest crowd of the day formed when local Pennsylvania activist Gene Stilp erected a statue of President Donald Trump in front of the Capitol. Again, reporters gathered as Stilp mounted the statue and held a sign reading, "Lock him up" — a 2016 campaign slogan Trump used against Clinton. 

"For democracy, we are taking down the dictator right now," Stilp said minutes later as he lowered the cardboard cutout he had just placed. It was symbolic of the removal of controversial, especially Confederate, monuments seen nationwide. 

"For decency and democracy, this statue of Donald Trump the dictator is being lowered here," Stilp said. "In 70 hours he’ll be gone, but we still have a fight for democracy because there’s many people out there who believe that Trump was correct, and we know he's wrong."

How did Gov. Tom Wolf prepare for protests in Harrisburg?

Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday activated about 450 National Guard members to augment the local and State Police response.

Wolf on Thursday also ordered the Capitol closed to workers for two days this week.

It is already closed to the public because of COVID-19 restrictions, and it was to be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  

The legislature is on break and will not return to session until Jan. 25.

Wolf said the Capitol would be closed Tuesday and Wednesday around the swearing-in of three statewide officials and Biden's inauguration.

Most Capitol employees under Wolf’s jurisdiction currently work remotely because of the pandemic, but the new order advises employees who work in-person to take off Tuesday and Wednesday.

Capitol protests:Wolf activates 450 National Guard members, police preparing to protect Pa. Capitol

Biden inauguration:What we know about weekend protests: National Mall closed; states brace for possible violence

How law enforcement planned to respond to anticipated protests?

Last week, Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Superintendent Joe Jacob said his department has already pursued “increased visibility” with special operations team members patrolling the Capitol grounds in full gear.

He said Capitol police are working with other law enforcement agencies “to monitor any suspected situation that would demand our attention.”

State Police Lt. Col. Scott Price said state troopers would be supporting Capitol police and that others will be on an “elevated alert status” in case they are needed. He said State Police will also provide aerial support with planes, helicopters and drones.

Along with State Police horse units, bomb squad, negotiation team and emergency response units will also be deployed, Price said.

How is Pennsylvania assisting the Inauguration in Washington, D.C.?

Pennsylvania has sent 1,000 Guard members to Washington, D.C., to assist in security operations for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

The Keystone State was one of the battleground states where President Donald Trump tried to have the election results overturned after Biden won.

More:Pa. Sen. Doug Mastriano said the fight wasn't over. Then he organized a trip to the Capitol.

More:Pa. Senate to seat Sen. Jim Brewster after new court ruling, GOP says

Reporters Candy Woodall and Mike Argento contributed to this report.