Virginia’s capital city is bracing for the expected arrival of thousands of gun-rights activists and other groups that have vowed to descend on Richmond to protest Democrats’ plans to pass gun-control legislation. Ralph Northam declared a temporary state of emergency days ahead of Monday’s rally, banning all weapons including guns from the event on Capitol Square. AdvertisementThe Virginia State Police, the Virginia Capitol Police and the Richmond Police are all coordinating the event and have plans for a huge police presence at Monday’s rally with both uniformed and plainclothes officers. Law enforcement officials faced scathing criticism for what both the white supremacist groups and anti-racism protesters said was a passive response. Monday’s rally is being organized by an influential grassroots gun-rights group, the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 20, 2020 06:00 UTC