Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued a response to the large rally in front of the state Capitol and said he would “continue to listen to the voices of Virginians, and will do everything in my power to keep our Commonwealth safe.”
He added: “Virginia’s law enforcement and first responders demonstrated tremendous professionalism. I’m proud of their work. I have spoken with Colonel Settle of the State Police, Colonel Pike of the Capitol Police, and Chief Smith of the Richmond Police Department, as well as leaders of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office, and thanked them for keeping Virginia safe.”
Ahead of the rally, Northam declared a state of emergency and banned all weapons from the capitol premises. Photos and videos taken at the event showed a heavy police presence and security barriers around the Capitol grounds.
Many protesters chose not to enter the designated rally zone, where Northam had imposed a temporary weapons ban, and instead packed surrounding streets, many dressed in tactical gear and camouflage and carrying rifles as they cheered on the speakers.
“I love this. This is like the Super Bowl for the Second Amendment right here,” said P.J. Hudson, a truck driver from Richmond who carried an AR-15 rifle just outside Capitol Square. He was one of the few African American rally-goers in a crowd that was mainly white and male, and was frequently stopped and asked to pose for pictures wearing his “Black Guns Matter” sweatshirt.
An estimated 22,000 people attended, according to authorities, who said one woman was arrested on felony charge of wearing a mask in public.
The rally drew the attention of President Donald Trump. “The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights,” he wrote on social media. “This is just the beginning. Don’t let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!
