Police and National Guard troops stood sentry at newly fortified statehouses Sunday ahead of demonstrations planned for the leadup to President-elect Joe Biden s inauguration, as authorities worked to deter a repeat of the recent riot that overran the U.S. Capitol . A few protesters were starting to gather in some cities, but streets in many others remained empty.

About two dozen people, several carrying long guns, protested outside the Ohio Statehouse, observed by several of the dozens of state troopers positioned around the building. Several dozen people some carrying American flags gathered at South Carolinas Statehouse. And at Michigans Capitol, a small group of demonstrators, some armed, stood near a chain-link fence surrounding the building as state police walked the grounds and National Guard vehicles were parked nearby.

Tall fencing also now surrounds the U.S. Capitol, the National Mall is closed to the general public, and the District of Columbias mayor asked people not to visit. Some 25,000 National Guard troops from around the country were due in the city in the coming days.