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An armed protestor stands outside the Ohio Statehouse
An armed protestor stands outside the Ohio Statehouse.AP
Armed protesters gather in front of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus
Armed protesters gather in front of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.AFP via Getty Images
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Ohio state troopers provide security at the Ohio Statehouse as armed protestors look on
Ohio state troopers provide security at the Ohio Statehouse as armed protestors look on.AP
Militia groups gather to protect protesters as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump protest against the election of President-elect Joe Biden, outside the Ohio State Capitol in Columbus
Militia groups gather to protect protesters as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump protest against the election of President-elect Joe Biden, outside the Ohio State Capitol in Columbus.REUTERS
Dan Werts of Logan County speaks into a megaphone while sitting in front of the Ohio Statehouse in a chair with the Trans Pride flag attached
Dan Werts of Logan County speaks into a megaphone while sitting in front of the Ohio Statehouse in a chair with the Trans Pride flag attached.Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
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A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump protests against the election of President-elect Joe Biden, outside the Ohio state Capitol in Columbus
A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump protests against the election of President-elect Joe Biden, outside the Ohio state Capitol in Columbus.REUTERS
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Armed demonstrators gathered at the Ohio State Capitol on Sunday afternoon, as statehouses around the country stepped up security to confront the possibility of civil unrest ahead of Inauguration Day.

About 50 protestors, some armed with assault weapons and other firearms, escorted a “Liberty or Death” flag to the statehouse in Columbus at 11 a.m., according to USA Today.

Ohio is an open-carry state, meaning licensed owners can display their weapons.

The crowd included both supporters of President Trump and counter-protestors, at least one of whom carried a Black Lives Matters flag, according to local station WBNS.

By 2:30 p.m., most of them had left.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol told the CBS affiliate that as of midafternoon, no arrests had been made.

Gov. Mike DeWine authorized the deployment of up to 580 National Guard members to secure government buildings in the Buckeye State leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, according to USA Today

Two hundred miles away, a handful of armed protesters affiliated with right-wing militias gathered at the Lansing, MI statehouse Sunday afternoon.

No violence has been reported.

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