Democratic Congressman Al Green (TX) decided to protest by taking a seat on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, which is a day authorities vaguely warned about it being a date some conspiracy theorists believe former President Trump would be back in office for a second term.
No major QAnon protest showed up outside the Capitol on Thursday, but the Capitol Police has requested the National Guard to be continued to be deployed for at least another two months, despite no known major threat to the building in the aftermath of the January 6 riot.
The House canceled votes on Thursday because of the "threat," but the Senate was still in session.
The Hill reported Green sat on the steps, behind multiple barbed wire fencing and thousands of National Guardsmen, to send a message.
"I want to make a statement to let people know, those who would threaten those of us who cherish this freedom that we have here that we refuse to allow those threats to negate our freedom," he told The Hill.
Democratic Rep. Al Green sat outside the House steps earlier today to present a show of force to any groups that were intending to protest or enact violence as intelligence had suggested.
— Annie Grayer (@AnnieGrayerCNN) March 4, 2021
“I wanted to send a message that I won't be intimidated."
Photo provided by Green office. pic.twitter.com/C5YGa0RaYo
I love my country and believe that freedom is not free. Others have made great sacrifices for the freedoms I enjoy. I refuse to surrender our nation’s Capitol to those who would abridge my freedom. Hence, as a matter of personal principle, I will be in the Capitol complex today.
— Congressman Al Green (@RepAlGreen) March 4, 2021
In all, the "threat" to Congress did not materialize in the slightest, but reporters were out and about to capture the mild weather.
I asked these National Guards troops, “more media than anyone else eh?”
— Richie??McG?? (@RichieMcGinniss) March 4, 2021
One replied, “true.” Another said, “yes.”
Then we agreed that it’s a beautiful day. pic.twitter.com/YzqDX3RgUr