Members of the National Guard secure the area near the Capitol in case of protests ahead of US President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, in Washington. Michigan, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Washington were among states that activated their National Guards to strengthen security. "Anyone who can avoid the area around the Capitol and Mall this week should do so," Beyer wrote on Twitter. Experts say that the capitals of battleground states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Arizona are among those at most risk of violence. Others told the Washington Post they wanted the protest organized in response to new state gun rules to be peaceful.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 16, 2021 22:01 UTC