FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Shirley Middleton lives a literal hop, skip and a jump from the front door to the state capitol building in Frankfort. She’s hoping the demonstration supporters of President Donald Trump have planned for this Sunday isn’t anything like what we saw inside the capitol building in Washington, D.C. last week.
“I worked in Washington for a short time, years ago. I never imagined seeing that,” Middleton said from her front porch.
On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear made everyone aware that demonstrators plan on being at the capitol on January 17, (he cited the number 17 as being significant to Q-Anon supporters). Beshear was once the focal point of protestor angst when he was hung effigy on these grounds several months ago as protestors railed against his COVID-19 orders.
“We’re in a dangerous place and time in our country, and in our state, to the point where we have to significantly elevate security around the capitol,” Gov. Beshear said on Tuesday.
The need to do so comes after FBI officials sent out a bulletin alerting law enforcement of the potential for violence at all 50 United States capitol buildings between now and inauguration day on Wednesday, January 20.
Kentucky State Police, which handles security at the capitol complex, declined a request to interview for this story not wanting to reveal tactics they might implement. A spokesperson for KSP did say the department would likely offer a brief overview later in the week of what they have planned to protect everyone on Sunday, if the need arises, including protecting Mrs. Middleton and her many neighbors.
“It is scary,” Middleton said, before indicating she’d stay at home on Sunday and remain quiet with the blinds drawn while watching TV.
