Louisiana State Police and FBI Ready for Protests

A joint press release from the Lousiana State Police and the FBI says that through a collaborative effort of federal, state, and local public safety agencies, officials continue to prepare for possible protests at the Louisiana State Capitol. Representatives from many agencies are working closely to coordinate security protocols and ensure safety for protesters, Capitol grounds and staff, and the surrounding community. Although no specific and substantiated threat to life or property have been identified at this time to include the State Capitol or other government buildings, partnering agencies will continually monitor for potential security concerns and provide timely notification should this change. All agencies remain steadfast in our mission to protect our citizens and respect those who choose to exercise their First Amendment rights, including the right to peacefully protest. Criminal activity, the destruction of property, and the intentional incitement of violence prevents others from peacefully expressing their First Amendment rights and will not be tolerated. In preparation, a multi-agency unified command center will be utilized to maintain a heightened posture to monitor for any emerging threats to our state. The focus is to provide a centralized location for gathering intelligence, assessing potential threats, and providing any additional resources needed. All agencies involved will be focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals attempting to incite violence and engage in criminal activity during peaceful protests in Louisiana.