Security beefed up at Arizona State Capitol on 1st day of session

PHOENIX – Authorities blocked off public access to the Arizona State Capitol on Monday, as legislators begin the first day of 2021 session.

Fencing surrounded the government complex at 17th Avenue and Washington Street by the early hours and traffic barricades were in place on the block.

The security measures are a precaution in the wake of mob violence at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump last week. Four people died in the siege.

Over the weekend, an Arizona man known as Jake Angeli turned himself in to federal authorities for his role in the rioting. He was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to a release from the Department of Justice.

In addition to coronavirus restrictions, security measures taken at the Phoenix building include limiting the number of guests to watch the swearing-in of 90 lawmakers. Formal elections for House speaker and Senate president are also scheduled on the day.

Gov. Doug Ducey will remotely deliver his seventh State of the State address at 2 p.m.

The speech will be broadcast live on KTAR News 92.3 FM, our app or online.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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