Overview
- Federal Protective Service officers cited three additional observers on Friday, including two U.S. veterans and an immigration attorney, one day after four volunteers were detained and cited at the same site.
- Friday’s actions followed Thursday’s citations on the building’s second floor, where volunteers said they were escorted out and told they could not return that day.
- In a statement provided Friday, DHS said the regulations are not new and emphasized that obstructing access within foyers, lobbies, and corridors, as well as disobeying lawful commands, are crimes.
- Volunteers dispute the basis for the citations, argue that “loitering” is not defined in the cited regulations, point to Justice Department guidance allowing public observation in court areas, and say they will contest the $280 fines.
- Several volunteers said officers referenced new enforcement and pointed to posted signs, and those cited plan to resume accompaniment and observation work at the building.