Fencing, road closures return to Capitol for rally supporting those arrested in Jan. 6 riot

Concrete barriers and fencing, — Concrete barriers and fencing on Capitol Hill. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

Concrete barriers and fencing in front of the U.S. Capitol. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

Workers install security fencings around the U.S. Capitol in preparations for this weekend’s Justice for J6 Rally on Sept. 15, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Security in the nation’s capital has been increased in preparation for the Justice for J6 Rally, a rally for support for those who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 to protest the 2020 presidential election outcome. (Getty Images/Kevin Dietsch)

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: Workers install security fencings around the U.S. Capitol in preparations for this weekend's Justice for J6 Rally on September 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. Security in the Nation's Capital has been increased in preparation for the Justice for J6 Rally, a rally for support for those who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 to protest the 2020 presidential election outcome. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) — Workers install security fencings around the U.S. Capitol in preparations for this weekend’s Justice for J6 Rally on Sept. 15, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Security in the nation’s capital has been increased in preparation for the Justice for J6 Rally, a rally for support for those who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 to protest the 2020 presidential election outcome. (Getty Images/Kevin Dietsch)

Concrete barriers on the bed of a truck before being offloaded at the U.S. Capitol. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

Concrete barrier being moved by a crane through the air. — A concrete barrier being moved by a crane through the air at the U.S. Capitol. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

Barricades being dropped down to reinforce security fencing. pic.twitter.com/AeFInDJBcU
— Nick Iannelli (@NickWTOP) September 16, 2021

Video of barricades being dropped down to reinforce security fencing at the U.S. Capitol. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

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Ahead of the “Justice for J6” rally in D.C., officials started planning safety measures to guard the U.S. Capitol, which was the scene of a deadly and violent breach only eight months ago.

In the District, steps are being taken to prepare for a variety of scenarios when protesters gather on Saturday in support of the people who were arrested after the insurrection on Jan. 6, including the return of perimeter fencing around the Capitol and a request by U.S. Capitol Police for D.C. National Guard support.

Here’s what you need to know.

Fencing around the US Capitol

A temporary inner perimeter fencing around Capitol Square started being put up Wednesday night, which includes Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue from First Street NE to First Street NW. The installation took about 24 hours to complete.

On Saturday, vehicle access to the Capitol will be limited to Congress and staff.

The Supreme Court has a temporary fence placed around its perimeter, as well.

The fence is scheduled to be taken down beginning Sunday, barring unforeseen issues.

Capitol Police request DC National Guard support

Capitol Police will also have additional personnel and external law enforcement posted throughout the Capitol complex. They have asked the Department of Defense for National Guard Support.

“The USCP has asked the Department of Defense for the ability to receive National Guard support should the need arise on September 18.” – The United States Capitol Police

— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) September 15, 2021

In a briefing Wednesday, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said it was not a robust request, adding that it was not an “exorbitant ask” but more in the form of some “manpower support.”

Capitol Police has also been in touch with the military, but did not give specifics in a statement to CNN.

Road closures

Capitol police and D.C. police released a list of street and parking restrictions. These began at varying times starting 5 p.m. Friday.

Emergency No Parking

The following roads were posted as Emergency No Parking, starting at 5 a.m. Saturday:

3rd Street, from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
Constitution Avenue, from 3rd Street NW to Louisiana Avenue NW
Pennsylvania Avenue, from Constitution Avenue NW to 3rd Street NW
Maryland Avenue from Independence Avenue SW to 3rd Street SW
I Street, from 15th Street NW to 17th Street NW
H Street, from 15th Street NW to 17th Street NW
17th Street, from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW (west side of Farragut Square)
17th Street from I Street NW to K Street NW (east side of Farragut Square)
15th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW (east side of McPherson Square)
15th Street from I Street to K Street NW (west side of McPherson Square)
Connecticut Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW
Vermont Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW

Streets closed to vehicle traffic

The following roads were closed to vehicle traffic, starting 5 p.m. Friday:

1st Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
Maryland Avenue, SW from 3rd Street, SW to 1st Street, SW
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 3rd Street, NW to 1st Street, NW

The following roads were closed to vehicle traffic, starting 11 p.m. Friday:

Constitution Avenue from Louisiana Avenue, NW to 2nd Street, NE
Independence Avenue from Washington Avenue, SW to 2nd Street, SE
East Capitol Street from 2nd Street to 1st Street, NE/SE
1st Street from Constitution Avenue, NE to Independence Avenue, SE

The following roads were closed to vehicle traffic, starting 5 a.m. Friday:

3rd Street NW from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
Pennsylvania Avenue NW from Constitution Avenue NW to 3rd Street NW
Madison Drive NW from 4th Street SW to 3rd Street NW
Jefferson Drive SW from 4th Street, SW to 3rd Street SW
Maryland Avenue SW from Independence Avenue SW to 3rd Street SW

All vehicles that are parked in violation of the emergency no parking signs will be ticketed and towed.

D.C. police said they do not anticipate additional closures, but there is a chance for intermittent closures and any decision will be based on public safety.

More about the Sept. 18 rally

What the rally is about

The rally is being planned by former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard, the head of Look Ahead America, a nonprofit dedicated to “standing up for patriotic Americans who have been forgotten by our government,” according to its website.

In announcing the rally on YouTube last month, Braynard said its purpose was to “raise awareness of this tragedy, this grave violation of civil rights of hundreds of our fellow Americans.”

Braynard told WTOP the rally won’t be canceled over the risk of violence. “There’s not going to be any violence.” Some 700 people are expected to attend, CBS News reported.

The rally comes after a series of troubling incidents in the nation’s capital. This includes a man who parked a pickup truck near the Library of Congress last month and said he had a bomb and a detonator; and earlier this week, the U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man with knives in his truck outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

The FBI also recently released more information and a new video regarding the suspect who placed pipe bombs at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee the night before the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Rally-goers near the Capitol Sept. 18, 2021. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Rally-goers near the U.S. capitol Sept. 18, 2021. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Law enforcement was ready at the Capitol Sept. 18, 2021. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

#NOW: The “Justice for J6” rally. pic.twitter.com/JngLQyqI5I
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) September 18, 2021

(WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

A counter-protestor is escorted out of the rally site by police officers as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol attend the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A view of the National Mall as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol attend the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

One of the counter protesters is Doug Hughes, who in 2015 flew a gyrocopter onto the West Lawn of the Capitol, near the site of today’s rally. He was jailed and lost his job but says he has no regrets. He was protesting government corruption. (WTOP/Mitchell Miller)

Only a small number of people showed up so far ahead of the noon rally in support of those jailed after the Jan. 6 insurrection. (WTOP/Mitchell Miller)

Geraldine Lavell speaks to the press as she attends the ‘Justice for J6’ rally with supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

People walk by the U.S. Capitol before the start of a ‘Justice for J6’ rally in support of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. Protestors are expected to gather in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Trucks are blocking the traffic to 3rd Street near the rally site. (WTOP/Mitchell Miller)

Dan, a protestor who declined to give his last name, sits on a security barrier as supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol begin to arrive for the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Police stand guard in front of the U.S. Capitol before the start of a ‘Justice for J6’ rally in support of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. Protestors are expected to gather in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Counter-protester Tim Smith carries a ‘LOSER’ sign as he passes by supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol plan ahead of the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Supporters of those charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol walk past a counter-protest sign as they arrive for the ‘Justice for J6’ rally near the U.S. Capitol September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protestors gathered in Washington, DC on Saturday to support over 600 people arrested and charged in connection with the January 6 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The J6 rally will take place on the other side of the reflecting pool, closest to the National Mall. It is lined with heavy trucks and a major law enforcement presence on Saturday morning. (WTOP/Mitch Miller)

U.S. Capitol Police and law enforcement officers are everywhere around the Capitol this morning, ahead of noon rally for those jailed after Jan. 6 insurrection. pic.twitter.com/e3MtX0x0uC
— Mitchell Miller (@mmillerwtop) September 18, 2021

(WTOP/Mitch Miller)

Officers from Fairfax County among those brought in to bolster U.S. Capitol Police. (WTOP/Mitchell Miller)

The biggest police presence is about 100 to 150 yards away from the main demonstration site. (WTOP/John Domen)

A lot of law enforcement officers with riot gear are around the area in case they’re needed. (WTOP/John Domen)

A counterprotestor’s sign can be seen on the National Mall on Saturday. (WTOP/John Domen)

Rally will take place on west side of the Capitol but police are on the east side and all around the Capitol grounds. (WTOP/Mitchell Miller)

An early look at the protest site this morning. Coverage as warranted all day @WTOP pic.twitter.com/SNnVElcDrF
— John Domen (@JDDsays) September 18, 2021

(WTOP/Mitchell Miller)