An annual pro-gun rally in Richmond, Virginia, is expected to bring thousands to the state capitol Monday — putting cops on high alert amid heightened tensions two days before the presidential inauguration.
“Lobby Day,” which last year brought an estimated 22,000 demonstrators to Richmond, is expected to bring caravans from as far away as New York and Texas, organizers said.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League said protesters planned a peaceful demonstration, organized to lobby state lawmakers to enact less restrictive gun laws.
“We’ve been doing this for 25 years,” league leader Philip Van Cleave said. “We’ve never had a single problem. No arrests, nothing.”
But police were taking no chances.
Dozens of pro-gun protesters had already gathered for the rally by midday, with the event scheduled to begin after 3 p.m., WRIC-TV reported.
However, the heavy police presence seemed to have a chilling effect on the planned gathering, with just over 100 demonstrators in the city by mid-afternoon.
The armed demonstrators included members of the anti-government boogaloos and defense league members.
Police said about 20 members of the black self-defense groups -, the Original Black Panthers of VA and Black Lives Matter 757 — were also in Richmond and demonstrated separately from the right-wing marchers.
Virginia is an open carry state, but Richmond police noted in a statement posted on Twitter that firearms are banned in posted areas and at events granted permits.
“In reference to city ordinance banning firearms at gatherings where posted, firearms are banned at permitted events/events that would require a permit,” police said.
“Gatherings that would require a permit are groups of 11+ people obstructing pedestrian/vehicular traffic in the vicinity of signs.”
The heightened tension comes in the wake of the Jan. 6 siege of the US Capitol by supporters of President Trump, which left five dead.
The FBI later warned of threats against all 50 state capitols leading up to Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday.
With Post wires
