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Protester in Washington speaking to journalists
Photo: Jose Luis Magana / AP
A two and a half meter high fence was erected around the congress building, hundreds of police officers are on site: In Washington, supporters of the former US President Donald Trump marched in front of the Capitol on Saturday afternoon (local time).
According to initial impressions, fewer people came than expected.
At the same time, numerous counter-demonstrators took to the streets.
"It's pretty much what we expected," Washington police chief Robert Contee told CNN.
So far everything has been peaceful.
The demonstration is intended to support defendants who will have to stand trial because of the storming of the Capitol on January 6th.
The police were there with a large number of people out of fear of riots.
The area around the congress headquarters was cordoned off as a precaution.
According to their own statements, the Capitol police have prepared for various scenarios and also prepared for possible violence.
A hundred soldiers from the National Guard are also on call.
The security authorities carried out additional checks on arriving travelers at the airport in Washington.
The Reuters news agency reported on a few dozen demonstrators, some with flags from right-wing groups or Trump supporters' posters.
One of the organizers of the demonstration - a former member of Trump's campaign team - said there was no way of keeping track of how many people were in attendance.
The AP news agency reported about a few hundred demonstrators, who were outnumbered by the security forces.
The police are also concerned about counter-demonstrators who may be prepared to use violence.
According to Reuters, there were at times violent verbal arguments between the participants in the rally and counter-demonstrators.
Police intervened in some cases.
On January 6, Trump supporters forcibly stormed the Congress headquarters in the US capital.
Five people were killed, including a police officer.
The unprecedented attack on the heart of US democracy caused a shock both nationally and internationally.
mmq / Reuters / AP