FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — The entrances to the state capitol building were not easily, if at all, penetrable. Troopers from the Kentucky State Police and members of the Kentucky National Guard were on hand to make sure of that. By our count, three protestors made their way onto the grounds, and they were very quiet.
“Part of the reason I’m the only one here is the governor put out, pretty explicitly, that the capitol grounds were shut down,” said Ron King.
King, who has been a very vocal opponent of both Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration and the general election results from November, said he never came to Frankfort with the intention of causing the kind of mayhem we saw two weeks ago at in Washington.
“I don’t see the need to come here with a weapon, or anything of that nature,” he said while holding a sign and standing at the bottom of the Capitol steps.
King referenced the many protests that have taken place here in recent months, and noted they’ve been mostly peaceful. Because of that, he was disappointed in the large presence of law enforcement.
“We’ve got tons of humvees here and police and everything else. They were all lined up on the upper side (of the building). That’s an unnecessary show of force,” King said.
With FBI bulletins alerting all 50 state capitols of the potential for violence, officials felt this response was necessary. They were here to avoid a repeat of the insurrection that took place on Jan. 6 at the U.S Capitol.
King was here to exercise his first amendment rights, which, like today’s peaceful transition of power, is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.
“My weapon is my voice,” he said.
Law enforcement ensured that it was the only weapon utilized here today, by anyone.
