Concrete barriers going up around New Mexico Capitol

As hundreds of people stood in line inside the Capitol on Friday to take a COVID-19 test required to enter the building for the 2021 legislative session, officials began marshaling another kind of preventive measure for a far different problem.

Across the street from the Capitol , already encircled with chain-link fencing, a trio of massive state Transportation Department trucks carrying Jersey barriers — long, 2,000-pound concrete blocks used for highway construction projects — waited for directions on where to unload. A fourth truck carrying sandbags and barricade boards was parked nearby.

The imposing materials are among the shields state officials are amassing to prepare against possible violence, after the FBI warned of plans for armed protests at all of the nation’s state capitols leading up to Wednesday’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

Raúl Burciaga, director of the Legislative Council Service, said the Capitol complex will be closed Sunday. “Nobody will be allowed in, and that’s because of planned protests at all state capitols on Sunday,” he said. The possibility the complex will be completely closed off again on Inauguration Day is still under consideration, Burciaga said.

On Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order declaring an emergency “due to the ongoing and pervasive threat of riots and insurrection” — a move designed to ensure soldiers from the New Mexico National Guard are ready to jump into action. Members of the state guard also will be in Washington, D.C., joining a force to protect the area during the inauguration.

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/concrete-barriers-going-up-around-new-mexico-capitol/article_f41ef768-5775-11eb-bda5-3ba41bb861ab.html