The city of Green Bay, Wisconsin was the latest to call on MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group’s mobile anti-vehicle barriers to protect people during recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
More than a thousand protestors had planned to walk from a local park to Green Bay police headquarters, and Police Chief Andrew Smith explained to council members how the barriers, newly acquired by the city, would be used.
"The idea is that the protestors will be safe from vehicles intruding into the area. These barriers will stop a car or a truck getting anywhere near the demonstration," Chief Smith said.
"I was pleased to see the mobile barriers were able to protect both the people and community in what happily
turned out to be a peaceful demonstration," said MERIDIAN CEO Peter Whitford. "With the COVID- 19 pandemic and now the demonstrations around the U.S., we have seen our Archer barriers take on very different and very effective roles."
In Pasadena, California the barriers were placed around the tents at one of the county’s largest drive-thru testing centers. The barriers provided health workers with a secure zone to carry out tests while people stayed in their cars. In Los Angeles at The Grove, Archer barriers were brought in to protect the iconic lifestyle and retail center when looters were destroying nearby shops. In Miami Beach, Florida the Archer barriers allowed the city to create a pedestrian plaza on the usually heavily trafficked Ocean Boulevard. There is now a safe environment with restaurant owners moving onto the street to create larger outdoor dining areas.
