Unidentified woman shows up to the Nevada State Capitol complex to counter-protest a rumored pro-Trump demonstration that didn’t happen Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021.
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 | 3:48 p.m.
A Northern Nevada woman showed up today at the legislative complex toting a sign with messaging in capital letters, “TRUMP LOST! BE ADULTS, GO HOME!”
Statehouses across the nation were heavily guarded in anticipation of armed protests by President Donald Trump’s extremist supporters leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
In the end, the chatter of planned chaos turned out to be just that and the far-right militia groups never left home. And if they did, they didn’t come to Nevada.
It didn’t mean authorities here weren’t ready, as they set up metal barricades in the street and posted Capitol Police officers around the complex. Law enforcement, including the Carson City and Douglas County sheriff offices, patrolled the roads by car and bike.
Barricades were placed in the parking spots near the statehouse. But the building wasn’t boarded up.
The stepped-up security measures were intended to safeguard seats of government from the type of deadly violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, when a supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the building while Congress was certifying the Electoral College vote.
The counter protester, who didn’t want to give her name, was surprised that not a single demonstrator made an appearance.
The woman’s sign, which was attached to a tree branch and had the American flag draped below, received attention from a motorist driving by. The driver flashed her the middle finger.
The woman said Trump supporters need to accept their candidate lost because “that’s the adult thing to do.” And that what’s she did four years ago when her candidate, Hillary Clinton, lost the presidency to Trump.
A sign left behind by a counter-protester who showed up to a rumored national pro-Trump demonstration, which didn't happen Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021.
In some ways, it appeared to be a normal Sunday afternoon, with residents walking around town or riding their bikes.
Businesses surrounding the statehouse remained open as customers entered eateries and a pub, although the Reno Gazette-Journal reported one planned to close until Wednesday and another had shut down their outdoor dining.
In contrast, businesses were boarded up in Columbus, Ohio, around the Capitol building, and armored vehicles were stationed at the state Capitol in Atlanta.
Small groups of pro-Trump demonstrators had gathered around statehouses in states including Michigan, Ohio and South Carolina as the day went on, though there were no reports of violence as of early Sunday afternoon.
On Thursday, Gov. Steve Sisolak said he had instructed the Nevada National Guard to “assemble a quick response unit within the state to support interagency law enforcement efforts, as necessary. He also tasked the Department of Public Safety to coordinate with other agencies.
The FBI announced early last week that armed protests were being planned in all 50 states, but late last week said there were no credible threats in Carson City. Also, some Trump backers urged other supporters to stand down.
“As we do in the normal course of business, we are gathering information to identify any potential threats and are immediately sharing that information with our partners,” the FBI Las Vegas said in a release last week.
Reports from the FBI indicated protests could continue until the inauguration of President-elect Biden on Wednesday. It remains to be seen if protesters will arrive in Carson City in the coming days.
A previous demonstration in Carson City on Jan. 6, the same day rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, did not result in any violence.
Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said discussions between law enforcement agencies in the area, including the Capitol police, have been ongoing since March after demonstrations began to protest COVID-19 restrictions.
“Obviously (the response is) scaled up and down depending on the threat and the nature of the threat,” Furlong said.
