Virginia leaders brace for far-right pro-gun rally

‘Any group that comes to Richmond to spread white supremacist garbage, or any other form of hate … isn’t welcome’

THE Republican leader in Virginia has told groups planning to spread “white supremacist garbage” at a pro-gun rally today to stay away, with thousands due to descend on the state capital.

Todd Gilbert joined Ralph Northam, the Democrat governor, to plead for peace as fears grew that violence could erupt, with far-right militias joining pro-gun activists in a march on the seat of government in Richmond.

The rally has been called to protest against sweeping gun-control measures proposed by Mr Northam’s administration. “Lobby Day is a time for people to peacefully assemble and petition their government. It is not a place for hate and violence,” Mr Gilbert said.

“Any group that comes to Richmond to spread white supremacist garbage, or any other form of hate, violence, or civil unrest isn’t welcome here.”

The display of unity came against a backdrop of rising tension since the arrest of several members of The Base, a neo-nazi group, last week.

Fearing that the rally could become a repetition of the riot in Charlottesville in 2017, in which one person died, Mr Northam declared a state of emergency. Leaders of “Unite the Right” groups, such as the Pennsylvania Light Foot Militia, which was present at Charlottesville, said they were planning to go to Richmond.

Mr Northam said the state had received intelligence that acts of violence were planned, including storming the state capitol. Security measures including a ban on carrying weapons in the capitol grounds and temporary flight restrictions have been imposed. Philip Van Cleave, a rally organiser, has also called for the protests to be peaceful.

Virginia has become the political epicentre of the battle over the second amendment, which guarantees the right of citizens to bear arms.

The Democrats, in control of the statehouse for the first time in a generation, are poised to introduce a series of gun restrictions, including universal background checks on purchases and a ban on military-style assault weapons.

More than 100 municipalities have declared themselves “second amendment sanctuaries” to oppose the laws.

Last week, Donald Trump gave his support to gun rights groups in the state, claiming second amendment rights there were “under very serious attack”.