With tensions running high, a rally by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-Second Amendment group with a history of advocating for the rights of Virginians to keep and bear arms, got off to a peaceful start Monday.
The group’s planned “Lobby Day” was to advocate against several gun control bills being considered by the Democrat-controlled state legislature.
Activist Michael Coudrey shared a number of videos and photos of the rally as it took place.
As seen below, a large number of people turned out in support of the constitutional right to bear arms.
https://twitter.com/MichaelCoudrey/status/1219288351934578689?s=20
With rumors swirling ahead of the rally about a threat of violence from militia groups, neo-Nazis and white nationalists, Virginia’s Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam cited law enforcement intelligence to say that “armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol.”
The governor declared a temporary state of emergency that includes a ban on the carrying of weapons on the grounds of the state Capitol . This prompted a Republican state senator to warn 2nd Amendment supporters that they were being set up.
No riots.
No violence.
No targeting of citizens.
No attacking cops.
Just Thousands upon thousands or peaceful, law-abiding citizens gathering in Virginia’s capitol to protest an unconstitutional assault on their rights.
Show me an Antifa rally like this:pic.twitter.com/5wUm8gL0Ey— Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 20, 2020
A sheriff from the state was seen among the protesters, according to liberal media producer Andrew Kimmel, who identified the man below as Grayson County Sheriff Richard Vaughan.
“If the bills go through as proposed, they will not be enforced,” the sheriff said of the proposed legislation. “They are unconstitutional.”
This is Sheriff Richard Vaughan of Grayson County, VA. “If the bills go through as proposed, they will not be enforced. They are unconstitutional.” This is not true, according to the Exec. Dir. of the VA Assoc. of Chiefs of Police… #Richmond2ARally pic.twitter.com/mjpQupE6of
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) January 20, 2020
Kimmel also shared a video of a group of Americans legally carrying firearms in the city — needless to say, it got plenty of attention.
The morning commute #Richmond2ARally pic.twitter.com/gW946MyflH
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) January 20, 2020
As for the media reports about racism and white supremacists, in the clip below, a black protester is seen joking about spending his “white privilege” as he walks with a flag.
He also takes a crack at the governor, who managed to survive the controversy over photos of him in blackface surfacing.
“I am Gov. Ralph Northam and I am in blackface today,” the man is heard saying.
Black pro-#2A protester instantly becomes American hero:
“I am Gov. Ralph Northam and I am in blackface today.”pic.twitter.com/PkUMCIgPq1
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) January 20, 2020
Another video being shared featured a black man explaining race is not a factor in the protests, despite the media insisting otherwise.
“I do not support, in any way, shape or form, Gov. Northam and the Democrats’ gun control,” He said. “What I also don’t control, what I also don’t support is the fact that every news piece you’ve seen on this weekend, they’ve always brought up the issue of race, as if its nothing but white rednecks and hillbillies out here who care for the 2nd Amendment.”
He goes on to say many Americans, regardless of color, support their constitutional right to bear arms. The man explained that he works in a gun store and encounters them on a regular basis.
An attendee at the rally in Richmond Virginia dispels the media smears against rally-goers.
He says the media is mischaracterizing them, & that they are just law abiding citizens who want to advocate for their constitutional rights.#VirginiaRally
pic.twitter.com/Vp3bJX8eNi— Michael Coudrey (@MichaelCoudrey) January 20, 2020
In fact, there were a number of videos of black protesters, prompting Jason Howerton to tweet: “The narrative of “racist” #2A protesters in Virginia has been declared dead. Condolences.”
BREAKING: The narrative of "racist" #2A protesters in Virginia has been declared dead. Condolences.pic.twitter.com/jwp8cQyquE
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) January 20, 2020
There were plenty more displays of this nature:
Another anti-Gov. Ralph Northam sign at the #VirginiaRally. pic.twitter.com/DhBZWw6jfC
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 20, 2020
More pictures of people carrying rifles at the #VirginiaRally and more evidence that debunks the narrative that the rally is filled with racists and white supremacists. pic.twitter.com/V0jGLpKW2d
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 20, 2020
Coudrey also shared a video of a man he described as a “left-wing Antifa infiltrator,” saying the man “tries to incite violence and law abiding rally-goers were not having it.”
In the clip, other protesters are seen confronting the man, telling him to “get the f*ck out.”
https://twitter.com/MichaelCoudrey/status/1219296984911114243?s=20
Here are a sampling of other tweets, videos and photos from Monday’s happenings in Richmond.
No Antifa or Neo-Nazis today in Richmond thus far
A lot of people fell for hype!
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) January 20, 2020
Will this be enforced for Antifa? https://t.co/XxUQR4qQ2o
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) January 20, 2020
It's 22 degrees in Richmond, VA today, so many protesters are wearing face masks so they don't freeze. Don't let the media push the "masked terrorist" angle on you. 22 degrees with a neck warmer is much different than 60 degrees in Portland, Oregon with a black antifa mask.
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 20, 2020
2A Protesters in Virginia singing the Star Spangled Banner.
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 20, 2020
What a great day expressing our First Amendment rights in Richmond today at the #Richmond2ARally. We will not be quiet as our Constitutional rights are trampled on. #VA10 #LobbyDay2020 pic.twitter.com/rENZ9gE3np
— Jeffery A Dove Jr. (@JefferyADoveJr) January 20, 2020
Richmond crowd chanting USA USA pic.twitter.com/xykGN51XT3
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) January 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/MichaelCoudrey/status/1219263988208291840?s=20
Groups picking up trash off the road after the rally is over. #VirginiaRally #Virginia2A @ABC13News pic.twitter.com/RgMlQroE2N
— Caroline Eaker (@caroline_wset) January 20, 2020
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