2020 VCDL Lobby Day

Last updated

VCDL Lobby Day
View of Virginia state Capitol from the intersection of East Main and North 10th Street.jpg
Lobbyists at VCDL's 2020 Lobby Day in Richmond, Virginia
DateJanuary 20, 2020 (2020-01-20)
Location Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia
Coordinates 37°32′24″N77°25′57″W / 37.539918°N 77.432436°W / 37.539918; -77.432436
Organized byVirginia Citizens Defense League

The Lobby Day 2020 was a gun rights rally that took place on January 20, 2020, at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. [1] [2] [3] The rally was an extension of the Second Amendment sanctuary movement and was organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League. Fears of violence by neo-Nazis prompted Virginia governor Ralph Northam to declare a state of emergency ahead of the event, although the event concluded peacefully with no reports of violence.

Contents

Background

Virginia's Lobby Day is an annual event, held each year on MLK Day and created by the Virginia Citizens Defense League. The annual rally began about 17 years ago. [4] The 2020 rally received international attention and a greater turnout than previous years because a Democratic majority in both the Virginia House of Delegates and state Senate was elected in 2019, alongside incumbent Democratic governor Ralph Northam, along with fears of the passage of pending, stringent gun control legislation. [4] [5] President Donald Trump also acknowledged the event, [6] and stated that the United States Constitution was "under very serious attack" in the Commonwealth of Virginia. [7]

State of emergency

Virginia 2nd Amendment Rally (2020 Jan) - 49416381422.jpg
Virginia 2nd Amendment Rally (2020 Jan) - 49416085946.jpg
Armed demonstrators at the Lobby Day rally, January 20, 2020

Governor Ralph Northam received advance warning that "out-of-state militia groups and hate groups" were planning to come to the event to "intimidate and to cause harm" to the demonstrators, [8] which led him to declare a state of emergency ahead of the event. [9]

Three members, including two US citizens and one Canadian national, of the neo-Nazi group The Base—of which were hostile to the beliefs of the protesters—were arrested in Maryland by the FBI days before the event and charged with harboring illegal aliens, unlawful possession and interstate transportation of a machine gun with intent to commit a felony, and, for the Canadian national, being an alien in possession of firearms and ammunition. [10] [11] Although initial reporting on the arrest of the three neo-Nazis implied a connection to the VCDL rally, [12] [13] neither press release [14] from the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland nor the court documents from the prosecution of the arrested neo-Nazis [11] [15] stated they planned to attend the rally. The group hoped that the rally would kickstart a second civil war, which would culminate with a neo-Nazi coup of the United States Government. [15]

Demonstration

A reported 22,000 people demonstrated, less than half of the number of attendees predicted by the rally's organizers. [16] Speakers at the event included Stephen Willeford, Republican State Senator Amanda Chase, Republican Delegate Nick Freitas, and Republican Delegate John McGuire. [17] The event concluded peacefully. [18] [19] [20]

Related Research Articles

In the United States, domestic terrorism is defined as terrorist acts that were carried out within the United States by U.S. citizens and/or U.S. permanent residents. As of 2021, the United States government considers white supremacists to be the top domestic terrorism threat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right-wing terrorism</span> Terrorism motivated by right-wing and far-right ideologies

Right-wing terrorism, hard right terrorism, extreme right terrorism or far-right terrorism is terrorism that is motivated by a variety of different right-wing and far-right ideologies. It can be motivated by Ultranationalism, neo-Nazism, anti-communism, neo-fascism, ecofascism, ethnonationalism, religious nationalism, anti-immigration, anti-semitism, anti-government sentiment, patriot movements, sovereign citizen beliefs, and occasionally, it can be motivated by opposition to abortion, tax resistance, and homophobia. Modern right-wing terrorism largely emerged in Western Europe in the 1970s, and after the Revolutions of 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, it emerged in Eastern Europe and Russia.

The Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights, and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary, commonly shortened to By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), is a militant, American far-left group that participates in protests and litigation to achieve its aims. It is a front organization for the Revolutionary Workers League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Socialist Movement (United States)</span> American Neo-Nazi organization (1974-)

The National Socialist Movement (NSM) is a far-right, Neo-Nazi, white supremacist hate based organization based in the United States. It is a part of the Nationalist Front. The party claimed to be the "largest and most active" National Socialist organization in the United States. It is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Heimbach</span> American white supremacist (born 1991)

Matthew Warren Heimbach is an American white supremacist and neo-Nazi. He has attempted to form alliances between several far-right extremist groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proud Boys</span> North American neo-fascist organization

The Proud Boys is an exclusively male North American far-right, neo-fascist militant organization that promotes and engages in political violence. The group's leaders have been convicted of violently opposing the United States government, including the constitutionally prescribed transfer of presidential power. It has been called a street gang and was designated as a terrorist group in Canada and New Zealand. The Proud Boys are known for their opposition to left-wing and progressive groups and for their support of former U.S. President Donald Trump. While Proud Boys leadership has denied being a white supremacist organization, the group and some of its members have been connected to white supremacist events, ideologies, and other white power groups throughout its existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Percenters</span> American and Canadian far-right militia group

The Three Percenters are an American and Canadian far-right anti-government militia.

The 2016 Sacramento riot was a civil disorder at a neo-Nazi and alt-right rally outside the California State Capitol in Sacramento, California on June 26, 2016. Alt-right and neo-Nazi groups including the Traditionalist Workers Party and other white supremacist groups were involved. Counter-protestors arrived at the rally to oppose the neo-Nazis and white supremacy. This included Antifa and their allies. Ten people were hospitalized for stabbing and laceration wounds with the majority of those hospitalized being counter-protesters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unite the Right rally</span> 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia

The Unite the Right rally was a white supremacist rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, from August 11–12, 2017. Marchers included members of the alt-right, neo-Confederates, neo-fascists, white nationalists, neo-Nazis, Klansmen, and far-right militias. Some groups chanted racist and antisemitic slogans and carried weapons, Nazi and neo-Nazi symbols, the Valknut, Confederate battle flags, Deus vult crosses, flags, and other symbols of various past and present antisemitic and anti-Islamic groups. The organizers' stated goals included the unification of the American white nationalist movement and opposing the proposed removal of the statue of General Robert E. Lee from Charlottesville's former Lee Park. The rally sparked a national debate over Confederate iconography, racial violence, and white supremacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antifa (United States)</span> Anti-fascist political activist movement

Antifa is a left-wing anti-fascist and anti-racist political movement in the United States. It consists of a highly decentralized array of autonomous groups that use nonviolent direct action, incivility, and violence to achieve their aims. Antifa political activism includes non-violent methods like involving poster and flyer campaigns, mutual aid, speeches, protest marches, and community organizing. Some who identify as antifa also use tactics involving digital activism, doxing, harassment, physical violence, and property damage. Members of antifa aim to combat far-right extremists, including neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patriot Front</span> American white nationalist group

Patriot Front is an American white supremacist and neo-fascist hate group. Part of the broader alt-right movement, the group split off from the neo-Nazi organization Vanguard America in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally in 2017. Patriot Front's aesthetic combines traditional Americana with fascist symbolism. Internal communications within the group indicated it had approximately 200 members as of late 2021. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the group generated 82% of reported incidents in 2021 involving distribution of racist, antisemitic, and other hateful propaganda in the United States, comprising 3,992 incidents, in every continental state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unite the Right 2</span> 2018 white supremacist rally in Washington, D.C.

The "Unite the Right 2" rally was a white supremacist rally that occurred on August 12, 2018, at Lafayette Square near the White House in Washington, D.C., United States. It was organized by Jason Kessler to mark the first anniversary of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which ended in deadly violence and attracted both national and international attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Base (hate group)</span> American, neo-Nazi, paramilitary training organization

The Base is a neo-Nazi accelerationist paramilitary group and training network, formed in 2018 by Rinaldo Nazzaro. It is active in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Europe, and designated as a terrorist organization in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boogaloo movement</span> American far-right extremist movement

The boogaloo movement, whose adherents are often referred to as boogaloo boys or boogaloo bois, is a loosely organized far-right anti-government extremist movement in the United States. It has also been described as a militia. Adherents say they are preparing for, or seek to incite, a second American Civil War or second American Revolution which they call "the boogaloo" or "the boog".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GypsyCrusader</span> American far-right political commentator

Paul Nicholas Miller, better known as GypsyCrusader, is an American white supremacist internet personality. Described as antisemitic and racist by various advocacy groups and the US Department of Justice, he frequently broadcasts himself on the internet cosplaying as various contemporary popular culture personas. In June 2021, Miller pleaded guilty to charges related to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, leading to a 41 months' imprisonment. He is known to have cosplayed as the Joker, the Riddler, Mario, and others while video chatting with strangers on the now defunct website Omegle. He is known for his advocacy for a race war, espousing white supremacy and neo-Nazism. He has been tied to multiple alt-right and far-right organizations, including the Proud Boys and the Boogaloo movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Earle Sullivan</span> American political activist and photojournalist

John Earle Sullivan, also known as Activist John, is an American political activist and self-identified photojournalist who participated in the January 6, 2021 United States Capitol attack. Due to his involvement, in November 2023, he was convicted by a jury of felony obstruction of an official proceeding, civil disorder, and five misdemeanors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 United States inauguration week protests</span> Protests against the presidency of Joe Biden

Supporters of Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, held small-scale armed protests and demonstrations at U.S. state capitols in the five days leading up to the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, in opposition to the results of the 2020 United States presidential election, which continued after the failure of the violent January 6 attempt to overturn the election in Trump's favor. Pro-Trump groups failed to stage organized dissent or affect the transition of power in an environment of deterrence and heightened security.

Patrik Jordan Mathews is a Canadian white supremacist and former Armed Forces Reserve combat engineer. In 2021, he was sentenced in the United States to 9 years in prison for criminal activities connected to The Base, a neo-Nazi and far-right accelerationist group that has been described as terrorist organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justice for J6 rally</span> 2021 protest in Washington, D.C., U.S.

The Justice for J6 rally was a right-wing demonstration in Washington, D.C., in support of hundreds of people who were arrested and charged following the January 6 United States Capitol attack. It occurred on September 18, 2021. The event attracted 100–200 activists. It was organized by a former Trump campaign staffer. The event was noted for extensive security preparations and concerns over possible unrest.

References

  1. Taylor, Alan (January 20, 2020). "Photos From the Pro-gun Rally in Virginia - The Atlantic". The Atlantic. Thousands of gun-rights activists took part in a peaceful rally on Lobby Day, today, in Richmond, Virginia.
  2. Brooks, Brad (January 21, 2020). "Thousands of armed U.S. gun rights activists join peaceful Virginia rally". Reuters. More than 22,000 armed gun-rights activists peacefully filled the streets around Virginia's capitol building on Monday to protest gun-control legislation making its way through the newly Democratic-controlled state legislature.
  3. Stracqualursi, Veronica; de Vries, Karl (January 20, 2020). "Virginia gun-rights rally concludes peacefully despite earlier fears of extremist violence". CNN. The crowd, however, was peaceful, with no immediate reports of violence.
  4. 1 2 Chappell, Bill (January 20, 2020). "Richmond Gun Rally: Thousands Of Gun Owners Converge On Virginia Capitol On MLK Day". National Public Radio. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  5. "Richmond braces for giant gun rights rally on Monday". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  6. Ayesh, Rashaan (January 18, 2020). "Trump tweets in support of pro-gun activists ahead of Virginia rally". Axios. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  7. "Ahead of tinder box Virginia gun rally, Trump says Constitution under attack". News.trust.org. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  8. "Virginia Governor Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Gun Rights Rally". Npr.org. January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  9. "Declaration Of A State Of Emergency Due To Potential Civil Unrest At The Virginia State Capitol" (PDF). Retrieved January 20, 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. "Virginia Capital on Edge as F.B.I. Arrests Suspected Neo-Nazis Before Gun Rally". New York Times. January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BRIAN MARK LEMLEY, JR., and PATRIK JORDAN MATHEWS" (PDF).
  12. "FBI arrests suspected neo-Nazis ahead of Virginia gun rally". BBC News. January 16, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  13. "6 Suspected Neo-Nazis Arrested In Lead-Up To Virginia Gun Rally". HuffPost. January 17, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  14. "Three Alleged Members of the Violent Extremist Group "The Base" Facing Federal Firearms and Alien-Related Charges". www.justice.gov. January 16, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BRIAN MARK LEMLEY, JR., and PATRIK JORDAN MATHEWS" (PDF).
  16. Epps, Garrett. "Guns Are No Mere Symbol." The Atlantic. 21 January 2020. 21 January 2020.
  17. "Virginia Citizens Defense League". Virginia Citizens Defense League. January 21, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  18. "Virginia pro-gun rally: Despite anger, threats of insurrection, massive rally is carried out peacefully outside state Capitol". Washington Post. January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  19. Williams, Timothy; Tavernise, Sabrina; Kanno-Youngs, Zolan; Mervosh, Sarah (January 20, 2020). "Amid Tight Security, Virginia Gun Rally Draws Thousands of Supporters". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  20. "At tense Virginia rally, demonstrators reject extremists, defend law-abiding gun owners". NBC News. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2020.