Groups Of Inauguration Day Protesters At California State Capitol Met With Show Of Force
SACRAMENTO (KPIX 5) -- Groups of protesters marched on the California State Capitol Wednesday in a demonstration to coincide with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite the protesters, it was eerily quiet at the Capitol Wednesday with state employees working from home and an extremely heavy police presence.
The California Highway Patrol had the Capitol building surrounded, along with local law enforcement and National Guard troops.
Roughly 50 protesters dressed in black marched around the State Capitol just hours after the inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C. Chanting "no justice no peace," they peacefully approached the Capitol building where they were greeted by a heavy presence of law enforcement officers and the National Guard.
By early afternoon, this crowd was gone.
"I was kind of nervous about coming but I was assured that there is no protesters around or anything like that," said a Sacramento resident who identified herself as Melissa.
Supporters of both President Biden and former President Trump could be seen walking around the Capitol.
One Trump supporter still believes Trump should be in the White House. "They stole the election, that they did," falsely claimed the supporter named Tyler. "Nobody wants to investigate the fraud that we are seeing, stuff is getting pulled out underneath tables. It's ridiculous."
Those around the Capitol said they did feel safe with the extra presence of law enforcement in the area and throughout downtown Sacramento. This Inauguration Day has brought hope to some that the country will see progress in the next four years.
"We are really bottoming out right now," said a Sacramento resident who identified himself as Wes. "I think the end of the Trump administration represents the point the most damage has been done and needs undoing."
It was hoped that the large police presence would deter others from a rumored Wednesday evening gathering at the Capitol.
