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| Virginia Gun Rally Live Updates: Fiery Speeches, but No Signs of Violence | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A highly publicized gun rights rally in Richmond, the capital of Virginia, got underway around 11 a.m. and lasted until shortly after noon, as speakers and attendees protested a series of gun-control measures making their way through the Legislature. | |
| White supremacists, members of antigovernment militias and other extremists said they planned to be in Richmond for the rally as well, stoking fears of the sort of violence that left one person dead and some two dozen others injured during a far-right rally in Charlottesville in 2017. | |
| Hoping to head off trouble, the state set up a security perimeter around the Capitol grounds and banned weapons — including firearms — from the area inside. Police officers guarded the area with the help of bomb-sniffing dogs, and people entering the perimeter through the single entrance were screened with metal detectors. | |
| The organizers of the rally, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, and other participants also tried to keep the event peaceful. Vincent Carter, 36, who was picking up trash at the end of the event, said that participants were well aware that “the world was watching “ and that any violence would have been blamed on gun rights groups. | |
| “A lot of time was spent in planning for safety — to not let a certain type of person sort of mingle in with us,” he said. “If we didn’t know them, we didn’t let them come with us. We have a lot of guys who are ex-military, so that helped keep things in order.” | |
| Even so, plenty of demonstrators came armed to Richmond, and officials worried that confrontations could develop just outside the perimeter entrance or in the surrounding streets where weapons were allowed. | |
| The landmark 2008 Supreme Court decision holding that the Second Amendment protected an individual’s right to keep and bear arms is known as the Heller decision, after Dick Heller, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that overturned a gun-control law in the District of Columbia. | The landmark 2008 Supreme Court decision holding that the Second Amendment protected an individual’s right to keep and bear arms is known as the Heller decision, after Dick Heller, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that overturned a gun-control law in the District of Columbia. |
| When Mr. Heller addressed the rally in Richmond on Monday, the crowd listened with rapt attention. | When Mr. Heller addressed the rally in Richmond on Monday, the crowd listened with rapt attention. |
| He got a big reaction when he quoted part of the amendment’s text: “Let’s yell it to them, so the media and left legislature can hear it: The right of the people to keep and bear arms will not be infringed!” The crowd roared the end of the sentence along with him. | He got a big reaction when he quoted part of the amendment’s text: “Let’s yell it to them, so the media and left legislature can hear it: The right of the people to keep and bear arms will not be infringed!” The crowd roared the end of the sentence along with him. |
| And when he asked the crowd, “Do we need gun control in Virginia?,” the crowd roared back, “No!” | And when he asked the crowd, “Do we need gun control in Virginia?,” the crowd roared back, “No!” |
| Another speaker, Sheriff Scott Jenkins of Culpeper County, Va., who has long been outspoken in advocating gun rights, told the crowd, “I ask that you all return to your homes and ask your elected officials, where is the line they will not cross?” | Another speaker, Sheriff Scott Jenkins of Culpeper County, Va., who has long been outspoken in advocating gun rights, told the crowd, “I ask that you all return to your homes and ask your elected officials, where is the line they will not cross?” |
| After the official speeches, as people began to leave the secure perimeter, participants made impromptu speeches in the street, denouncing abortion and the governor in addition to gun control. Some participants picked up litter and scraped discarded orange “Guns save lives” stickers off the pavement. “No confiscation! No registration!” the crowd chanted. | After the official speeches, as people began to leave the secure perimeter, participants made impromptu speeches in the street, denouncing abortion and the governor in addition to gun control. Some participants picked up litter and scraped discarded orange “Guns save lives” stickers off the pavement. “No confiscation! No registration!” the crowd chanted. |
| On a day when guns and Second Amendment grandeur took center stage, the atmosphere also took on an overtly political tone at times, as pro-gun groups criticized the state’s Democratic governor, Ralph Northam. | On a day when guns and Second Amendment grandeur took center stage, the atmosphere also took on an overtly political tone at times, as pro-gun groups criticized the state’s Democratic governor, Ralph Northam. |
| Demonstrators circulated a racist photograph from Mr. Northam’s medical school yearbook, which showed a man in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe, an image that nearly destroyed Mr. Northam’s political career. An investigation last year could not conclusively determine whether Mr. Northam appeared in the photo, and he now leads a state government that is fully controlled by Democrats and focused on enacting gun control. | Demonstrators circulated a racist photograph from Mr. Northam’s medical school yearbook, which showed a man in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe, an image that nearly destroyed Mr. Northam’s political career. An investigation last year could not conclusively determine whether Mr. Northam appeared in the photo, and he now leads a state government that is fully controlled by Democrats and focused on enacting gun control. |
| “The man behind the sheet wants your guns,” read one poster, which had reprinted the photograph. In another case, a pamphlet using the photograph called on liberals and conservatives to “fight back” against “slave masters” in the state legislature. | “The man behind the sheet wants your guns,” read one poster, which had reprinted the photograph. In another case, a pamphlet using the photograph called on liberals and conservatives to “fight back” against “slave masters” in the state legislature. |
| Support for President Trump was apparent among many of the gun rights activists in attendance. | Support for President Trump was apparent among many of the gun rights activists in attendance. |
| A large “Make America Great Again” flag whipped above the crowds that gathered outside the State Capitol perimeter. A bus adorned in pro-Trump posters, including a “Women for Trump” flag and a flag with the president’s head photoshopped on Rambo, occasionally drove passed the entrance of the capitol grounds and was greeted with cheers from the crowd. | A large “Make America Great Again” flag whipped above the crowds that gathered outside the State Capitol perimeter. A bus adorned in pro-Trump posters, including a “Women for Trump” flag and a flag with the president’s head photoshopped on Rambo, occasionally drove passed the entrance of the capitol grounds and was greeted with cheers from the crowd. |
| “Trump 2020, baby!” one man shouted. “Amen,” a man wearing a camouflage hat replied. | “Trump 2020, baby!” one man shouted. “Amen,” a man wearing a camouflage hat replied. |
| Despite concerns about potential violence, which led the governor to declare a state of emergency ahead of the rally, the authorities said they were not aware of any major incidents or arrests by early afternoon. | |
| The Richmond-Times Dispatch reported that a man with a backpack was detained about 11:30 a.m. after climbing a catwalk to the roof of a building near the Capitol. Gene Lepley, a spokesman for the Richmond police department, said he could not confirm the report. | |
| Mr. Lepley also said he did not have updated crowd estimate figures, which he said would be released later in the day. | |
| Inside the Capitol grounds, a peaceful crowd held banners and flags, and shouts of “U.S.A.” swelled in the background. The area took on a festive atmosphere, with tunes being played on instruments that sounded like flutes and piccolos. | |
| At the same time, a swelling crowd jammed the surrounding streets, appearing to outnumber those inside the grounds for the rally. | At the same time, a swelling crowd jammed the surrounding streets, appearing to outnumber those inside the grounds for the rally. |
| Weapons are allowed outside the security perimeter, and demonstrators walked through the area carrying firearms and flags, as if on parade. There were military-style rifles, shotguns, 9-millimeter handguns, .45- and .22-caliber pistols, and even a man carrying .50-caliber sniper rifle. | Weapons are allowed outside the security perimeter, and demonstrators walked through the area carrying firearms and flags, as if on parade. There were military-style rifles, shotguns, 9-millimeter handguns, .45- and .22-caliber pistols, and even a man carrying .50-caliber sniper rifle. |
| Chris Dement, 22, said he was glad to see that the demonstration was peaceful so far. He said he brought a 9-millimeter carbine to stand in solidarity, but was prepared to use it for self-defense in case of violence. | Chris Dement, 22, said he was glad to see that the demonstration was peaceful so far. He said he brought a 9-millimeter carbine to stand in solidarity, but was prepared to use it for self-defense in case of violence. |
| “It’s never out of the realm of possibility,” he said. | “It’s never out of the realm of possibility,” he said. |
| Richmond was alive with activity as early as 6 a.m. as clusters of people made their way toward the Capitol. The traffic downtown included a Jeep flying an American flag, and numerous pickup trucks. | Richmond was alive with activity as early as 6 a.m. as clusters of people made their way toward the Capitol. The traffic downtown included a Jeep flying an American flag, and numerous pickup trucks. |
| Logan Smith, 25, a transmission plant worker from Indianapolis, said he set out Saturday night and drove in his black Dodge Charger for 9 hours and 46 minutes to reach Richmond on Sunday. Standing in a teal sweatshirt in the early morning cold on Monday, his hands in his pockets, he watched the line for entrance to the Capitol grounds start to snake around the block. | Logan Smith, 25, a transmission plant worker from Indianapolis, said he set out Saturday night and drove in his black Dodge Charger for 9 hours and 46 minutes to reach Richmond on Sunday. Standing in a teal sweatshirt in the early morning cold on Monday, his hands in his pockets, he watched the line for entrance to the Capitol grounds start to snake around the block. |
| “I see how it matters — it matters to me back home,” Mr. Smith said of gun rights. Referring to the gun regulations bills before the Virginia legislature, he said, “Seeing stuff like this being pushed, it doesn’t sit well.” | “I see how it matters — it matters to me back home,” Mr. Smith said of gun rights. Referring to the gun regulations bills before the Virginia legislature, he said, “Seeing stuff like this being pushed, it doesn’t sit well.” |
| Around the corner, a whoop went up from a small crowd when several men unfurled a large cloth banner with a long gun emblazoned on the front. | Around the corner, a whoop went up from a small crowd when several men unfurled a large cloth banner with a long gun emblazoned on the front. |
| Teri Horne, 51, stood on the sidewalk directly across from the entrance to the Capitol grounds, with a Smith & Wesson M&P 15T rifle straddled around her shoulder and a Texas flag at her side. Ms. Horne, of Quitman, Texas, and about three dozen others from the women’s chapter of Open Carry Texas drove about 24 hours from Texas “to support the people in Virginia.”A group of other Texans wearing camouflage-pattern clothes approached her and asked if they could take a photograph. Another man walked over to offer her a National Association For Gun Rights sticker. | Teri Horne, 51, stood on the sidewalk directly across from the entrance to the Capitol grounds, with a Smith & Wesson M&P 15T rifle straddled around her shoulder and a Texas flag at her side. Ms. Horne, of Quitman, Texas, and about three dozen others from the women’s chapter of Open Carry Texas drove about 24 hours from Texas “to support the people in Virginia.”A group of other Texans wearing camouflage-pattern clothes approached her and asked if they could take a photograph. Another man walked over to offer her a National Association For Gun Rights sticker. |
| “This is where freedom began, right here, and this is what they’re doing to the people of Virginia,” Ms. Horne said. “Thomas Jefferson, he was a very livid character, he would have some strong words to say.” | “This is where freedom began, right here, and this is what they’re doing to the people of Virginia,” Ms. Horne said. “Thomas Jefferson, he was a very livid character, he would have some strong words to say.” |
| Lev Huntington, 77, who owns firearms, has a concealed carry permit and belongs to the Virginia Citizens Defense League, the group organizing the rally, traveled from Virginia Beach. He said he knew others who wanted to attend, but were afraid because of the threats of violence. | Lev Huntington, 77, who owns firearms, has a concealed carry permit and belongs to the Virginia Citizens Defense League, the group organizing the rally, traveled from Virginia Beach. He said he knew others who wanted to attend, but were afraid because of the threats of violence. |
| “They write to me and said, ‘I’m not going tomorrow, because things might get tough and I got to think about the kids,’” Mr. Huntington said. “I said, ‘This is about the kids.’” | “They write to me and said, ‘I’m not going tomorrow, because things might get tough and I got to think about the kids,’” Mr. Huntington said. “I said, ‘This is about the kids.’” |
| The rally has been a frequent topic of discussion on internet platforms that are popular among anti-government militia groups and white supremacists. Many users expressed interest in attending the rally. But over the weekend, white-supremacist chat rooms began to overflow with warnings against attending. | The rally has been a frequent topic of discussion on internet platforms that are popular among anti-government militia groups and white supremacists. Many users expressed interest in attending the rally. But over the weekend, white-supremacist chat rooms began to overflow with warnings against attending. |
| Many suggested that participants were being set up for a government trap where they would either be blamed for any violence that broke out, or would even be the targets of violence themselves. | Many suggested that participants were being set up for a government trap where they would either be blamed for any violence that broke out, or would even be the targets of violence themselves. |
| Those warnings continued on Monday from members of anti-government militias, white supremacists and others who were in Richmond. The message “Don’t go in the cage” was posted repeatedly on Twitter, along with comments like “Flood the rest of Richmond instead.” | Those warnings continued on Monday from members of anti-government militias, white supremacists and others who were in Richmond. The message “Don’t go in the cage” was posted repeatedly on Twitter, along with comments like “Flood the rest of Richmond instead.” |
| For years, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, which falls early in the legislative session, has been a day for ordinary Virginians and advocacy groups to talk with state legislators about issues that concern them, in a tradition known as “Lobby Day.” | For years, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, which falls early in the legislative session, has been a day for ordinary Virginians and advocacy groups to talk with state legislators about issues that concern them, in a tradition known as “Lobby Day.” |
| This year, gun rights groups made especially big plans, after control of the legislature flipped in the November election. | This year, gun rights groups made especially big plans, after control of the legislature flipped in the November election. |
| After a generation of dominance by Republicans sympathetic to gun rights, the State Senate and House of Delegates are now run by Democrats who want to impose tighter regulations — measures that have become increasingly popular in the state, especially after a gunman fatally shot 12 people last May in Virginia Beach. | After a generation of dominance by Republicans sympathetic to gun rights, the State Senate and House of Delegates are now run by Democrats who want to impose tighter regulations — measures that have become increasingly popular in the state, especially after a gunman fatally shot 12 people last May in Virginia Beach. |
| The State Senate approved three gun control bills last week that the House of Delegates could approve as early as this week. | The State Senate approved three gun control bills last week that the House of Delegates could approve as early as this week. |
| The prospect of new laws restricting firearms has met with stiff opposition in the state’s rural areas. Since November, more than 100 municipalities have declared themselves “Second Amendment sanctuaries” — a purely symbolic step, but one that highlights the widening rift in Virginia between its cities and its rural areas, which have been losing population and political power for years. | The prospect of new laws restricting firearms has met with stiff opposition in the state’s rural areas. Since November, more than 100 municipalities have declared themselves “Second Amendment sanctuaries” — a purely symbolic step, but one that highlights the widening rift in Virginia between its cities and its rural areas, which have been losing population and political power for years. |
| Timothy Williams, Sabrina Tavernise and Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported from Richmond, Va., and Sarah Mervosh from New York. Neil MacFarquhar contributed reporting from New York. | Timothy Williams, Sabrina Tavernise and Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported from Richmond, Va., and Sarah Mervosh from New York. Neil MacFarquhar contributed reporting from New York. |