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On Friday the U.S. Attorney and the FBI issued a joint statement that said - yes - we are committed to the First Amendment and the American right to peacefully demonstrate, which is planned for Monday in Washington. But - no - We will not tolerate violence, destruction, interference with government functions, or trespassing on government property, which is also a distinct possibility as well-organized and quite determined protesters plan to block the entrances into The Supreme Court building tomorrow morning..

The idea is if protesters can block access to the building, they can disrupt the court and somehow stave the decision of Roe v.

The rare joint statement, issued by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. DAntuono of the FBI Washington Field Office, read, The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the FBIs Washington Field Office are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights of all Americans to express their views peacefully during demonstrations that take place on a regular basis in the nations capital, including at the Supreme Court.

We also have a responsibility to ensure public safety and the orderly conduct of government business, the statement continued.

We will not tolerate violence, destruction, interference with government functions, or trespassing on government property. We are committed to working closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to stop any individuals who intend to commit violence or criminal activity under the guise of carrying out a demonstration.

The protests thus far, in front of the judges residences, have become increasingly ugly and with the distinct chance the Roe decision could come tomorrow around 10 a.m., law enforcement has become increasingly stiffened. I think there is a lot of vitriol, said Capitol Police chief Tom Manger in an interview with CNN several days ago. Somebody would even say there is hate speech going on between the two sides and that is concerning to me.

Of equal concern to law enforcement is the arrest of an armed gunman at the house of Associate Justice Bret Cavanaugh last week. A 27-year-old identified at Nicholas John Roske flew from California with enough implements and deranged mind to kill Kavanaugh and then commit suicide. This is a lawmans biggest fear since such a lone wolf is nigh impossible to predict.

As it were, two U.S. Marshals were guarding the Kavanaugh home at about 1 a.m. Wednesday after nightly protests and their presence apparently spooked Roske, causing him to call 9-1-1 and turn himself in to Maryland law enforcement. He has been booked on attempted murder and, if found guilty, could serve up to 20 years in prison.

The Capitol police, Washingtons Metro police, and several other agencies admit they are ramping up their forces for tomorrow. The protest organizers plan to meet about 7 a.m., split into three groups, and block the three automobile entrances to the Supreme Court property. DC Metro will launch a Civil Disturbance Unit tomorrow and the Capitol Police are adding overtime shifts, beefing up security, and staying in near-constant contact with local, state, and national law enforcement.

THIS FROM CNN: The increased security comes as the Department of Homeland Security is warning that threats in the U.S. could become even more volatile throughout the summer and the midterm election season, fueled by election-year misinformation and potential violence surrounding a final Supreme Court opinion in a case that stands as a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade's holding of a federal constitutional right to an abortion.

Capitol Police recently warned officers about an abortion-related "Shut Down SCOTUS" protest slated for Monday that's organized by the activist group ShutDownDC. Intelligence officials are particularly concerned about social media posts urging violence against abortion rights protests, according to the Capitol Police memo.

"Like recent large pro-abortion rights demonstrators, counter-protestors are likely, although there are no indications of organized counter protests," the memo said.

The memo notes ShutDownDC has not committed violence in the past, but instead uses nonviolent civil disobedience, which has resulted in arrests at protests. The group has also protested at the homes of members of Congress and Supreme Court justices, the memo said.

The Department of Homeland Security previously warned that the impassioned abortion debate presents risks to protesters, lawmakers, Supreme Court justices and others, and it warned the threats could come from both sides of the issue.

In addition to the pending abortion opinion, the Supreme Court is poised to issue a ruling in its first major Second Amendment case in more than a decade.

Within hours following the leak of a draft opinion from the Supreme Court that would strike down Roe v. Wade, protests broke out at the court, and within days materialized at the homes of several justices.

Security officials at the court responded by erecting a tall, non-scalable fence around the building two days after the leak. The small police department also has leaned on its law enforcement partners to help fill in the gaps in security, especially for justices. The US Marshals Service has said it is assisting.

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You will want to follow this story. And pray everybody involved behaves.

royexum@aol.com

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