Several anarchist groups are expected to descend on Washington D.C. for the Jan. 20 inauguration, Reuters reported Friday.
Roughly 3,000 police officers from around the country will come to the nation’s capital to assist with Metropolitan Police, as will 5,000 National Guard troops.
There have been activist groups that have indicated they plan to protest peacefully, including a women’s march and a legalization group handing out 4,200 marijuana cigarettes. Washington’s police chief indicated to reporters Friday that they have heard of individuals who will try to be disruptive — but they are ready for that possibility.
“The fact that you have some folks that are indicating on social media that they’re coming to shut down the inauguration events is something that we will be prepared for,” interim Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham said. “We’ve experienced that type of thing before in the city and we’ll be able to handle it.”
Newsham said that he doesn’t think there will be mass arrests and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said that the pro-marijuana protest won’t be the “first priority.