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Far-right groups and other supporters of Donald Trump plan to demonstrate in Washington on Saturday in a public show of support for his baseless claim of widespread voter fraud in the November 3 election.
The Republican president has refused to accept that he lost the choice to democrat Joe biden, now president-elect.
The protests in the nation’s capital will bring together far-right personalities, including conspiracy theorist and Infowars announcer Alex Jones and the self-described “American nationalist” Nicholas Fuentes.
Infowars host Alex Jones speaks at an anti-mask protest in June
The Oath Keepers militia and the far-right Proud Boys have also said their members will attend.
Some leftist groups are planning counter-demonstrations.
In addition to the Washington event, pro-Trump protests and counter-protests are planned in other major cities across the country.
“It’s heartwarming to see all the tremendous support out there, especially the organic rallies that are springing up across the country, including a big one on Saturday in DC. I can even try to come by and say hi.” Mr trump wrote on Twitter on Friday.
The police had warned of possible acts of violence around the elections, including by extremist groups, which so far have not happened.
Christopher Rodriguez, Washington’s director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said his agency was tracking about a dozen groups, each made up of “about a dozen” people who had indicated they would attend Saturday.
“I don’t want anybody to think that we are talking about a large number of people,” he told a news conference Thursday.
He stressed that those attending the rallies will not be able to carry weapons.
“Violence will not be tolerated,” he said.
Guns are a common feature of Proud Boys gatherings
Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Florida-based Proud Boys, said he expects about 250 members to attend the rally. He said he did not expect violence at the event and said the Proud Boys would adhere to local gun laws in the District of Columbia.
Stewart Rhodes, the head of the anti-government and pro-Trump oath keepers, said in a statement that his group “will help” with the security of the demonstrations.
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