Skip to main content
Jan 18, 2021 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protests outside fortified capitols draw only small groups

headshot
Members of the Michigan Boogaloo Bois an anti-government group stand with their long guns near the Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan on January 17

Armed members of the far-right extremist group the Boogaloo Bois near the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on Jan. 17. About 20 protesters showed up, AP notes. Photo: Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images

Small groups of protesters gathered outside fortified statehouses across the U.S. over the weekend ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Wednesday.

The big picture: Some protests attracted armed members of far-right extremist groups but there were no reports of clashes, as had been feared. The National Guard and law enforcement outnumbered demonstrators, as security was heightened around the U.S. to avoid a repeat of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots, per AP.

Virginia National Guard soldiers are issued their M4 rifles and live ammunition on the east front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 17.
Virginia National Guard soldiers are issued their M4 rifles and live ammunition on the east front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 17. "More reporters and law enforcement members were present than protesters" in Washington, D.C., USA Today notes. Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Members of the far-right extremist movement the Boogaloo Bois, stage a demonstration at Oregon's State Capitol in Salem on Jan. 17.
Boogaloo Bois members outside Oregon's State Capitol in Salem on Jan. 17. Photo: John Rudoff/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
National Guard soldiers protect the Department of Health Care Services building near the California State Capitol on January 17
National Guard soldiers protect the Department of Health Care Services building near the California State Capitol on Jan. 17. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
Minnesota State Patrol stand guard as a small group of people who support President Donald Trump sit outside the Minnesota Capitol building on January 17, 2021 in St Paul
Minnesota State Patrol stand guard as a few people who support President Donald Trump sit outside the state capitol building on Jan. 17 in St Paul. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
A woman and child look on as members of the Washington National Guard and State Police stand outside the state Capitol in Olympia, Washington on January 17
A woman and child look on as members of the Washington National Guard and state police stand outside the state Capitol in Olympia, Washington, on Jan. 17. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images
A protester carries a crossbow outside the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on January 17
A protester carries a crossbow outside the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 17. Photo: Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images
An armed member of the right-wing subsection of the militia coined the Boogaloo Boys protests outside of the Capitol on January 17, 2021 in Frankfort, Kentucky.
An armed member of the the Boogaloo Boys protests outside the Kentucky State Capitol on Jan. 17 in Frankfort. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images
Members of the Utah National Guard stand watch as a man carries an upside down American flag as he walks the grounds of the Utah State Capitol building on January 17
Members of the Utah National Guard stand watch as a man carries an American flag while passing the Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City Jan. 17. Photo: George Frey/AFP via Getty Images
A Nevada Highway Patrol vehicle passes by the State Capitol on January 17, 2021, in Carson City
A Nevada Highway Patrol vehicle passes by the State Capitol on Jan. 17 in Carson City. Photo: Ronda Churchill/AFP via Getty Images
Armed groups cross the street as they hold a rally in front of a closed Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas,on January 17
Armed groups rally in front of a closed Texas State Capitol in Austin on Jan. 17. Photo: Matthew Busch/AFP via Getty Images
Armed members of the Boogaloo militia speak to people in front of the State Capital in Concord, New Hampshire on January 17
Armed members of the Boogaloo group in front of the State Capital in Concord, New Hampshire, on Jan. 17. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of the second amendment stand outside of the Georgia Capitol building on January 17
Supporters of the Second Amendment outside the Georgia Capitol building on Jan. 17 in Atlanta. Photo: Megan Varner/Getty Images
A few people protest the results of the election outside the Colorado State Capitol on January 17
A couple of Trump supporters outside the Colorado State Capitol on Jan. 17 in Denver. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
New Mexico State Police patrol around the New Mexico Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico on January 17
New Mexico State Police patrol around the state capitol in Santa Fe on Jan. 17. Photo: Paul Ratje/AFP via Getty Images
Trump supporters stand outside the Capitol Building in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 17
Trump supporters outside the Capitol Building in Phoenix, Arizona, on Jan. 17. Photo: Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images
A man has a conversation with law enforcement in front of the state capitol building in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, on January 17
A man speaks with law enforcement in front of the state capitol building in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, on Jan. 17. Photo: Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images
Go deeper