AM News Brief: State of Emergency Declared following Insurrection

Utah State Of Emergency

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency starting Friday. It’s in anticipation of potential violent sieges of the state capitol, largely due to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week in Washington D.C. Cox said the National Guard is on standby to protect Utah’s capitol, and there will be zero tolerance for violence or property destruction. The state of emergency runs through Jan. 21, the day after Biden’s inauguration. It allows state law enforcement officials to close Capitol Hill if necessary. — Sonja Hutson

Expert Cautions Against Counter Protests.

The FBI has warned police chiefs across the country to be on high alert for extremist activity ahead of the inauguration next week. The Mountain West has long been a hotbed for these groups. The federal law enforcement agency said there is a possibility anti-government groups and militias may target state capitols, federal buildings, businesses and the homes of congressional members. But Kristin Hoover, director of the Institute of Hate Studies at Gonzaga University in eastern Washington, said if there are rallies, community members shouldn’t organize any counter protests. She warned that would just create opportunities for further harm. — Nate Hegyi, Mountain West News Bureau.

Source: ‌Iikuer 90.1Ratio Hour (2021, January 15). AM News Brief: State of Emergency, New Colorado River Commissioner & Wolf Fight Continues. ‌Iikuer 90.1Ratio Hour.