AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Concerns over possible armed protests are prompting the Texas Department of Public Safety to close the Texas State Capitol and the Capitol Grounds for the next few days.
DPS officials said the closure will begin Saturday and run through Wednesday, January 20.
“The Texas Department of Public Safety is aware of armed protests planned at the Texas State Capitol this week and violent extremists who may seek to exploit constitutionally protected events to conduct criminal acts,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said in a statement. “As a result, DPS has deployed additional personnel and resources to the Capitol and are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Austin Police Department to monitor events and enforce the rule of law.”
DPS encourages anyone to report suspicious activity on the internet or in public to to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Austin Police Department or DPS at www.iWatchtx.org.