Oklahoma law enforcement agencies have boosted security at the state Capitol and the governor's mansion in response to protests surrounding the death penalty case of Julius Jones.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Wednesday said extra security personnel were deployed and barriers were placed along NE 23 in front of the governor's mansion where protestors had gathered.
"OHP is tasked with protecting people and property on state grounds and we plan to do so with the professionalism and courtesy the citizens of Oklahoma have come to expect from our agency," the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said in a statement.
The sidewalk area near the fence of the governor's mansion has been blocked off due to concerns voiced by the Highway Patrol that the area is not spacious enough to safely allow for protestors as it is too close to the street, the agency said.
Protestors filled that segment of sidewalk along the Capitol corridor several weeks ago as John Grant was put to death in Oklahoma's first execution since 2015.
The barriers were placed by the Oklahoma City Police Department, which cited a mutual aid request from Highway Patrol asking that barriers be set up to allow for safe, peaceful protests.
The Oklahoma City Police Department referred questions on increased security and protest response to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and did not provide further comment.
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board voted 3-1 for Jones' clemency and recommended his sentence be commuted to life with the possibility of parole.
The final decision on clemency rests with Gov. Kevin Stitt. The execution is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Jones, now 41, has been on death row for more than half of his life for the murder of Edmond resident Paul Howell. Jones has maintained his innocence, saying he was not responsible for the fatal shooting in Edmond in 1999. Jones' family insists he was at home at the time of the shooting.
Protestors in support of Jones and those against the death penalty have already made noise the days leading up to the execution on social media and by calling the governors office while encouraging others to do the same.
Some Oklahoma City area students walked out of classrooms on Wednesday in protest of the execution as their peaceful assembly was supported by Oklahoma City Public Schools.
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