All 50 American states and the District of Columbia are on alert this weekend for possible violent protests by opponents of the inauguration of President-elect of the United States of America (USA) Joseph Biden, which will be held on Wednesday.
Members of the National Guard from all parts of the country have been sent to Washington to discourage any possible repeat of the violence since January 6, when five people were injured when supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Congress.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned that there could be a march of armed Trump supporters in the capitals of all 50 states.
The National Alley complex is closed in the District of Columbia, Tanjug reports.
Barricades were placed along the streets of the American capital, Washington, and security measures were increased.
Due to increased security measures, the building that houses the US Congress is surrounded by metal fences.
The same applies to the area in front of the monument to George Washington, where instead of tens of thousands of citizens, media teams accredited to follow the inauguration of Joseph Biden will be staying in the fenced area.
In addition to the National Guard, the presence of the police on the streets of the capital has been increased, while it has been announced that at least 12 metro stations in the wider city center will be closed.
Biden's team has already urged Americans to avoid travel to the capital because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is expected that there could be protests especially tomorrow, because Trump's supporters and right-wingers have called for protests on January 17 and a march in Washington on the day of the inauguration itself via social networks.
The governors of Maryland, New Mexico and Utah have declared states of emergency ahead of possible protests.
California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin have activated their National Guard, and Texas will close its congress from today until January 20.
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