(CNN) — Law enforcement officials and businesses in the nation’s capital are preparing for an influx of anti-vaccine mandate activists and are also concerned that potentially large-scale demonstrations could attract extremist groups to the region this weekend. Police Department, is moving to all-hands-on-deck staffing this weekend, according to sources familiar with the planning. The protest is intended to bring together those who oppose vaccine mandates and passports, Covid-19 vaccines for children and other coronavirus requirements. And officials are concerned because the events center on issues that are the focus of disinformation campaigns from both foreign and domestic threat actors, according to the federal law enforcement official. Extremism researchers point out the “Defeat the Mandates” event and a similar two-day event this weekend called the “World Wide Rally for Freedom” are gaining attention due to cross-promotion.

Source: CNN January 23, 2022 00:18 UTC