Q: What would happen if they had a protest and nobody came?
A: It would be a good day for Trenton. And, hopefully, a turning point.
Fear of a pro-President Donald Trump protest had law enforcement agencies and personnel on high alert Sunday in Trenton. State officials said Friday there was no credible threat, but that they were shutting down streets and activating the National Guard while using an overabundance of caution.
Midday, Trenton Mayor Reid Gusciora told a group of reporters that there “were more skateboarders than protesters.”
In fact, there may have been more reporters than protesters (and, to be clear, ROI-NJ was not in Trenton).
Officials across the country feared numerous protests would occur at state capitals on Sunday. Few of any consequence appeared to have taken place.
New Jersey officials have said repeatedly they will remain on high alert through the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, which will take place at noon Wednesday.
Trenton will be mostly shut down Monday, in accordance with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s uncertain if a large number of workers will come in Tuesday.
On Friday, State Police Superintendent Col. Pat Callahan said the fewer, the better.
“We just thought to help us facilitate any security response measures, the fewer folks in and around Trenton, the better,” he said.
Other notes from the weekend:
Health metrics
The state’s rate of transmission came in about 1.1 Sunday, coming in at 1.12.
The state also announced Sunday there were 4,686 new positive PCR tests (for a cumulative total of 565,097) and 710 new positive antigen tests (for 62,124 total).
In addition, the state reported 26 more fatalities, bringing that total to 18,348 — with 2,091 additional deaths believed to be caused by COVID-19.
Final word
Murphy on the frustration of getting vaccines from the federal government:
“We just need the supply from the feds to meet that demand, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that we are ready, but they are not.”
