An attempt by the Capitol Police Department to make the fencing around the Capitol building permanent after the January 6 riot is facing a rapid downturn from members of Congress and the public.
Critics in and around Washington, DC, warn of the symbolism of permanent fencing surrounding the building. Lawmakers say keeping a barrier around “The People’s House” goes against a message of transparency and accountability to their constituents.
“Permanent fence would send the wrong message to the nation and the world, transforming our democracy from one that is accessible and from the people to one that is exclusive and fearful of its citizens,” Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
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Norton accepted the proposal, saying it would not solve the Capitol security problem that broke open during the riot this month. Instead, she called it “another form of security theater” and said “it would make the Capitol ‘look safe,’ but mask the lack of state-of-the-art security measures that can actually prevent attacks in the future.”
Several other lawmakers echoed similar sentiments against making the fence around the Capitol building permanent.
“I am adamant against this action. A fence did not let us down. Law enforcement officers did. I think we can keep the representatives, the press, the staff, my constituents and all those who work here safe without shielding the symbol of our democracy. It’s the People’s House – let’s keep it that way, ”Rep. Jennifer Wexton
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I am adamant against this action.
A fence did not let us down. Law enforcement officers did.
I think we can keep the representatives, the press, the staff, my constituents and all those who work here safe without shielding the symbol of our democracy.
It’s the People’s House – let’s keep it that way. https://t.co/JESNACPwve
– Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) January 28, 2021
Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) tweeted it would be a “mistake to turn the home of our democracy into a fortress” and it would call for the complex to be kept open to “voters, press and visitors”.
‘This is the People’s House. I’m really against it, ” added GOP representative Elise Stefanik
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DC mayor Muriel Bowser
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The reprimands come after Capitol Deputy Chief of Police Yogananda Pittman called for permanent fencing around the Capitol to prevent further violence following the January 6 riot that killed several people.
The looting of the Capitol shook lawmakers ‘and city officials’ confidence in Capitol security measures after law enforcement appeared hopelessly unprepared for the crowd, despite knowing ahead of time that the rally could turn violent.
The events prompted a slew of new security measures, including an increased presence of law enforcement officers, more physical obstructions, including the fencing, and the deployment of approximately 25,000 National Guard troops to protect the January 20 inauguration process.
Several journalists covering Capitol Hill acknowledged the security holes that occurred during the uprising, but also voiced alarm about how permanent fencing would reduce accessibility to the Capitol.
There is no doubt that the failure of a perimeter around the Capitol complex was a massive (if not the central) failure on January 6. But it’s worth considering what we will symbolically lose by putting a permanent fence around the People’s House. place. , ” tweeted MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt.
“One of the great things for DC residents and millions of visitors is the public space on and around the Capitol. It will be a sad day when that goes away, ” added Abby Phillip from CNN. “But also, what is being done about the intelligence flaw that allowed this attack to take place at all?”