Routine public access to the Minnesota Capitol and legislative proceedings will remain under restrictions into next year as officials weigh when to dismantle a fence and to conduct more business in person.
Both realities were disclosed Tuesday during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security, which is chaired by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and includes members of all three branches of state government.
The panel was told the chain-link fence ringing the Capitol building since the tension following the killing of George Floyd in late May will stay in place indefinitely.
State officials say dozens of incidents of graffiti and vandalism have occurred since summer and they believe the fence has prevented even more damage to the 115-year-old building. Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said his agency has tracked credible threats and copycat incidents that have hit capitols in other states.
“At this time I am still charting intel information about folks that talk about defacing the Capitol as a tactic,” Harrington said. “Having the fence stay up while those threats continue, I think, is a prudent matter.”
Walz to extend in-person dining pause through holidays, allow gyms to reopen with restrictions MPR News will have live coverage of the announcement today and will report on your questions. Follow along with the latest.
