FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — The National Guard is stationed on the Capitol grounds and will be all day on Sunday in case of protesters.
National Guard here. No sign of protesters. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/0OQjPc6Adm
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) January 17, 2021
It wasn't until noon that there was the first sign of protesters, one of which was armed. After talking to police, the alleged protesters moved along.
Some apparent protesters showed up. One is armed. Police talked to them. They moved along. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/tne62j1vFP
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) January 17, 2021
Roughly an hour later, two people, both armed, showed up outside Capitol grounds. One of the two people said he is a part of the Boogaloo Boys and came out today to express First Amendment and Second Amendment rights. He said that he doesn’t care about Trump or Biden and does not want violence.
A couple armed guys just showed up outside Capitol grounds. This guy says he’s a part of the Boogaloo Boys. Came out today to express “1A and 2A rights.” Says he doesn’t care about Trump or Biden. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/OwQU7X8G0S
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) January 17, 2021
Roughly another hour later, around 2 p.m., more armed people showed up. They had purple bands on their arms.
Some more armed people showed up. They have purple bands on their arms. Having a verbal back and forth with KSP troopers. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/fgdVpXmKOq
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) January 17, 2021
Some of the protesters identified themselves as Black Lives Matter protesters. Those protesters asked to sit on the steps but are not allowed.
Some protesters in purple have identified themselves as Black Lives Matter activists. They want to sit on the steps, but are not allowed. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/Im297kJVQq
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) January 17, 2021
This past Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that there would be heightened security measures around the Capitol grounds in Frankfort following the Jan. 6 attack by domestic terrorists on the U.S. Capitol.
“There have been domestic terror threats against state capitols all over the United States. Our commitment is that what happened at the U.S. Capitol will not happen here,” Gov. Beshear said on Friday.
Despite armed protesters gathering in Frankfort, things did remain peaceful Sunday afternoon. One demonstrator, who refused to identify himself, gave LEX 18 his reason why he decided to come to the State Capitol.
"We are here to keep people safe while exercising our Second Amendment right so people can exercise their First Amendment (right). We didn't know what to expect today. We expected possibly a re-occurrence of what happened in DC, and thankfully that's not happening, and doesn't look like it's going to happen. But we are peacekeepers before anything else," said the unnamed demonstrator.
As of 5:00, all protesters left the Capitol area. It's not known if anyone plans to protest later tonight.
LEX 18 will continue to update this story as the day goes along
