Overview

The 2020 Gun Rights Rally in Richmond, Virginia occurred on January 20th, 2020. Pro-gun activists and lobbying groups held the event as a means of protesting gun control legislation spearheaded by Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. While some criticized the rally for the presence of white nationalist and other far-right extremist groups, comparing it to 2017's Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, North Carolina, others contend that the event is a demonstration to uphold second amendment rights.

Background

The Virginia Citizens Defense League holds the event, known as Lobby Day, annually on Martin Luther King, Jr Day, encouraging larger turnouts due to time off for many citizens. The group announced the 2020 event in November 2019.^[1][2]

Lobby Day 2020 expected larger-than-usual turnouts due to the far-reaching gun control measures being taken by the state legislature.

On January 15th, 2020, less than a week before the event, Governor Ralph Northam declared^[11] a state of emergency due to the event, temporarily banning weapons from the Capitol grounds at the event. Northam cited "threats of violence" as the reason for the State of Emergency.^[3]

"We're seeing threats of violence," said Governor Northam. "We're seeing threats of armed confrontation and assault on our capitol. These are considered credible, serious threats from our law enforcement agencies."

The rally was held on January 20th, 2020. The Washington Post^[4] reports, "Roughly 6,000 people passed through secure checkpoints to enter the fenced-off, weapons-free secure area inside Capitol Square […] Thousands more remained in the streets, where they were permitted to carry weapons."

Developments

Online Reaction

That day, President Donald Trump tweeted ^[5] a message of support for the rally. He tweeted, "The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights. This is just the beginning. Don’t let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!" The tweet received more than 73,000 likes and 21,000 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below, left).

Twitter^[6] user @MichaelCoudrey tweeted about LGBTQ+ representation at the rally. "Representation for the gay community is also in attendance at the 2nd amendment rally in Richmond, Virginia. 'Gun rights are also gay rights.'" The tweet received more than 4,800 likes and 2,300 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below, right).

Some reported on far-right extremist groups and conspiracy theorists at the event. Twitter @andrewkimmel tweeted a brief interview with Alex Jones at the event, who discussed "false flags" created by Governor Northam (shown below).

Alex Jones is here. He says the governor is “trying to create a crisis” and that this is a “psychological false flag”. He’s just entered the gun-free perimeter accompanied by two bodyguards. #Richmond2ARally pic.twitter.com/1hkRTU2FSO

— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) January 20, 2020

Redditor ^[7] birdlawyer85 shared an image of Jones with the caption "Alex just showed up in his battle tank at the Pro-Gun rally (Richmond, Virginia)." The post, which was added to the /r/The_Donald, received more than 400 points (98% upvoted) in less than 24 hours (shown below, left).

Vice reporter Tess Owen tweeted, "Group of guys from 'Patriot Wave' which I had not heard of. They had badges and posters referencing the 'Boogaloo' which is far-right speak for a civil war. They described themselves as shitposters." One of the members of the "Boogaloo Boys" wore a badge bearing Pepe the Frog and the words "memetic warfare" (shown below, right).

@andrewkimmel also shared a video of the armed protesters at the event. One such video received more than 3.5 million views, 4,300 likes, 3,000 comments and 2,000 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below).

The morning commute #Richmond2ARally pic.twitter.com/gW946MyflH

— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) January 20, 2020

Guardian reporter Lois Beckett tweeted, "What is so striking about the scene at the gun rights rally in Richmond is what you don’t see: almost no cops. Just that little cluster of state police there. No lines of riot cops. No law enforcement in riot gear." The post received more than 475,000 views, 13,000 likes and 4,700 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below).

What is so striking about the scene at the gun rights rally in Richmond is what you don’t see: almost no cops. Just that little cluster of state police there. No lines of riot cops. No law enforcement in riot gear. pic.twitter.com/W0jkwYmmkP

— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020

Media Coverage

Virtually all major media outlets covered aspects of the rally, including The Washington Post,^[1] The New York Times,^[3] Fox News, ^[8] NBC,^[9] eBaum's World ^[10] and more.

Search Interest

External References