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Armed Protesters Assemble at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus

Ideastream Public Media | By Carter Adams,

Andrew Meyer

Published January 17, 2021 at 1:02 PM EST

Updated at 1:02pm

An Ohio State Highway patrolman is being transported by the Columbus Fire Department to a local hospital with an ankle injury. The patrolman was inside the Ohio Statehouse at the time of the injury, not with the crowd. More details on the injury are not available at this time.

Updated at 12:49pm

Armed protesters are rallying at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The gathering has been, at times, loud, but so far peaceful. One member of the Boogaloo Bois who's going by the name, "Killdeer" talked about why they've come to Columbus today.

Updated at 12:30pm

The armed rally at the Ohio Statehouse and state capitals across the country are expected to begin getting underway at this hour. In Columbus, members of the Boogaloo Bois begin walking to the statehouse.

Throughout the march, they have been stating that they are not there to engage and that they are strictly on hand as peace mediators, working to ensure a peaceful coming together for unity on all sides.

Updated at 11:24am

Protesters are gathering near the statehouse in preparation for the rally. This protester who chose not to give his real name, posed for a portrait in a parking lot at the corner of State and 3rd. He's a member of the Boogaloo Bois, a decentralized group of armed protesters and demonstrators.

Protesters gather near the statehouse.

10:35am

Security is in place ahead of a planned noontime rally at the statehouse by supporters of President Donald Trump. A few small groups have gathered nearby, but there is a sizable presence of Ohio National Guard in the area. On Thursday, Governor Mike DeWine had indicated he was mobilizing 400 guardsman to be available to assist in Columbus and elsewhere in the state is needed.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is on hand at the statehouse this morning. He says he wanted to make the rounds and shake the hands of state highway patrolmen who are helping to keep things safe.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol which provides security at the statehouse is also on hand.

Members of the Boogaloo Bois march two-by-two to the Ohio Statehouse.

Protesters gather at the Ohio Statehouse.

A protester gets ready for the rally in a parking lot near the statehouse.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost talks with state highway patrolmen guarding the statehouse.

An Ohio National Guardsman moves barricades to assemble a gathering area for some of the television camera people who will be filming the protest.

Two state highway patrolman stand guard on the steps of the Capitol before a planned rally by the Boogaloo Bois.