Capitol fence reconstructed ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union, planned trucker protests

As President Joe Biden is preparing to give the annual State of the Union address, although it will be Biden’s first, fencing is going to be installed once again around the Capitol’s grounds as part of heightened security measures.

The new measures come as some fear a potential threat of a truck-convoy protest akin to the ones seen in Canada, according to a new report.

The fencing is apparently going to be installed next week as Biden looks to give the speech on March 1. Many have concerns that there will be a debilitating rally similar to the anti-vaccine-mandate protests happening in Canada.

“The United States Capitol Police and the United States Secret Service have been closely working together to plan for the upcoming State of the Union,” said the United States Capitol Police in a press release. 

A group of US trucker convoys, called the Great American Patriot Project, have reportedly been inspired by the demonstrations in Canada that have stretched several weeks already.

The group has already been forming protests targeting COVID-19 related restrictions as well as vaccine mandates in multiple American cities. They have reached out to truck drivers to encourage them to join three convoys to the nation’s capital next month. 

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, downplayed the impact of possible demonstrations during Biden’s address, noting earlier this month that “everybody can peacefully protest.”

Still, concerns are being taken seriously, as a razor-wire-topped barrier stood around the Capitol for several months following the January 6, 2021 riot, which will now be reinstalled ahead of the address.

All 535 members of Congress will be allowed to attend, but they are prohibited from bringing guests into the Capitol and will have to wear high-quality masks during the event. All attendees will also have to turn in a negative COVID-19 test within one day of the event.