Some tweets, photos, video, etc. from Richmond this morning. Stay safe, everybody!
Here's what I know about the mask arrest so far.
Video strongly suggests Beschler wasn't supportive of the rally, but it's not clear if she was a counter-protester.
Also unclear: Why her bandanna drew police attention when others didn't https://t.co/Ejh1E4DGPG
— Graham Moomaw (@gmoomaw) January 20, 2020
Gov Northam statement: We are all thankful that today passed without incident. The teams successfully de-escalated what could have been a volatile situation. This resulted from weeks of planning pic.twitter.com/KvI3nWpziG
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) January 20, 2020
I’m pretty sure moving guillotine off street is not in the state police training manual. Cops getting this thing off the road to open it back up to traffic. pic.twitter.com/PYf0iueOCb
— Gordon Rago (@gragonews) January 20, 2020
The rally has ended and people are steadily leaving the area. I have yet to see any confrontation. The protestors are leaving the designated areas towards areas not pretkected by police.
— Brandon Jarvis (@Jaaavis) January 20, 2020
Pictures of thousands at Capitol Square. @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/jtsbV20fkL
— Andy Fox (@AndyFoxWAVY) January 20, 2020
“I’m from Alabama and Arkansas. I grew up around guns. I’m not afraid,” Boysko told the group. “However, I think there are a small number of things we can do that would help reduce violence.” pic.twitter.com/umboPub4yD
— Bridget Balch (@BridgetBalch) January 20, 2020
Another sign in crowd pic.twitter.com/pyfLvk7MgQ
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) January 20, 2020
The rally is underway. Unclear where the speakers are. Right now it’s @NickForVA, who is running against Spanberger.
Closes by saying Jeffery Epstein didn’t kill himself. pic.twitter.com/wb87a4fiGC
— Ben Paviour (@BPaves) January 20, 2020
Rally is underway. The crowd is big pic.twitter.com/kSMZugUtbJ
— Graham Moomaw (@gmoomaw) January 20, 2020
Chilling. pic.twitter.com/EC4Ex1SW0U
— Ian Sams (@IanSams) January 20, 2020
VCDL rally begins https://t.co/QI1q5i8lX1 pic.twitter.com/G2BRgq8b5p
— Brendan Ponton (@brendanponton) January 20, 2020
A few lawmakers waving out at the big pro-gun crowd as the VCDL rally begins. The speaker system at the rally is very difficult to understand and there’s no stage so almost no one can see whoever is speaking pic.twitter.com/Xrv9wVsvHe
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020
Republican legislators joining the gun folks on the front steps of Capitol #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/7z41HMOC28
— Tram Nguyen (@tramNVM) January 20, 2020
This just happened. First counter protest I’ve seen. They’re leaving now. pic.twitter.com/baCSnKlQzq
— Justin Mattingly (@jmattingly306) January 20, 2020
Alex Jones was in an armored vehicle yelling on a loud speaker this morning in Richmond?.
“#VirginiaRally” pic.twitter.com/UgPjlC4zin— Adele McClure (@AdeleMcClure_) January 20, 2020
People claiming to be part of a ‘militia’ have formed multiple lines on the corner of 9th and Bank. They’re starting to march. @8NEWS pic.twitter.com/ydpx7jHnhv
— Ben Dennis 8News (@broadcastben_) January 20, 2020
As of 10:30 am, 5,482 people entered the Capitol grounds: capitol police. pic.twitter.com/O5ppvDnA1r
— Sabrina Tavernise (@stavernise) January 20, 2020
A bunch of truck cabs coming down 8th Street right now, assumingly honking in support of the rally. @myVPM #VirginaRally pic.twitter.com/M8h0TF9sAL
— Roberto Roldan (@ByRobertoR) January 20, 2020
Lady in red with the megaphone: “Hey! You on the rooftops. We will not comply!” pic.twitter.com/cVIYyvAfat
— Graham Moomaw (@gmoomaw) January 20, 2020
View inside the fence at 10:25 pic.twitter.com/IplfqYuaLn
— Brandon Jarvis (@Jaaavis) January 20, 2020
These guns, and those carrying them at the Capitol, will make most Virginians feel less safe.
To many, heavily armed marchers represent a threat of violence and an attempt to intimidate legislators out of doing the will of the people.
Praying for peace today in Richmond. https://t.co/FPYgz8FVSR
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) January 20, 2020
The scene outside the weapon-free zone pic.twitter.com/mu3QriStGf
— Graham Moomaw (@gmoomaw) January 20, 2020
Gun rights protesters sing the National Athem as they wait outside Virginia’s capitol. pic.twitter.com/KEwMGvYN1U
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020
Street view. These individuals can carry firearms. The crowd within the fences on the hill cannot be armed. pic.twitter.com/r8SGLVWPLB
— Tanner B. Hirschfeld (@Hirschfeld4VA) January 20, 2020
A popular sign pic.twitter.com/vQRWHxvedJ
— Brandon Jarvis (@Jaaavis) January 20, 2020
Here’s a video pic.twitter.com/qsu855PEqd
— Tanner B. Hirschfeld (@Hirschfeld4VA) January 20, 2020
Modest crowd inside the gun-free Capitol grounds in Richmond for the gun rights protest, packed crowd in the streets outside, where citizens are allowed to carry firearms. pic.twitter.com/1HXvxJim1S
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020
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
Told there’s been a few rounds of chants of USA! USA! So far this morning pic.twitter.com/BHw1a6rCJ8
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020
Only entry for the dels to the left, armed protestors to the right, gun free zone above.
Electeds will have to walk past this unscanned group if they plan to enter the Capitol today. https://t.co/EH2YFHPd8S
— BK (@BradKutner) January 20, 2020
Representation for the gay community is also in attendance at the 2nd amendment rally in Richmond, Virginia.
“Gun rights are also gay rights” #VirginiaRally #Richmond2ARally pic.twitter.com/ED98qLXsKL
— Michael Coudrey (@MichaelCoudrey) January 20, 2020
You can sign to recall the Governor apparently pic.twitter.com/5vAstVYCPS
— Brandon Jarvis (@Jaaavis) January 20, 2020
Alex Jones is here and he posed for a photo with a milita pic.twitter.com/rn6vGQgqo7
— Jared Holt (@jaredlholt) January 20, 2020
There are people open carrying just across from Capitol pic.twitter.com/UGHUOxI9jB
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) January 20, 2020
These outfits simply scream: “We’re mad that over 80% of Virginians support common sense gun reform so we want to act out in ways that ensure it’s closer to 95%.” https://t.co/7AI87jow5X
— Tom Perriello (@tomperriello) January 20, 2020
Part of the crowd pic.twitter.com/4VZFUXap2e
— Brandon Jarvis (@Jaaavis) January 20, 2020
I brought pillows and blankets, they brought their bravery and courage to lobby lawmakers when armed militias are outside. #IStandWithVirginia https://t.co/nN1B5GdRF5
— Delegate Chris Hurst (@ChrisHurstVA) January 20, 2020
Surprise! They couldn’t scare us away.
We traveled to Richmond in secret and camped out in the General Assembly buildings last night to be able to safely participate in our democracy today.
We’re carrying the stories of youth across Virginia with us. Stay tuned for updates! pic.twitter.com/bqXi5aEYHv
— March For Our Lives: Virginia (@M4OLVA) January 20, 2020
“Northam out! Northam out”
The crowd chanting to get the governor out of office @NBC12 pic.twitter.com/Ru0VLrxJRr— Eric Perry (@EricpNBC12) January 20, 2020
The view down Franklin Street pic.twitter.com/wDv6iWFnH3
— Graham Moomaw (@gmoomaw) January 20, 2020
Emcee leads crowd in pledge of allegiance. Law enforcement watching from Capitol roof pic.twitter.com/CQqIJgVNDr
— Graham Moomaw (@gmoomaw) January 20, 2020
This is what security looks like getting onto capital Square. The man in front of me had a lighter and they made him get out of line. Another man had an aluminum chair and they made him leave it at the front gate.@NBC12 pic.twitter.com/veV7n5hB8I
— Eric Perry (@EricpNBC12) January 20, 2020
The morning commute #Richmond2ARally pic.twitter.com/gW946MyflH
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) January 20, 2020
VCDL supporters are getting off buses at the John Marshall Courts Building. Greeters are handing out hand-warmers. Mood is upbeat, so far no sightings of long rifles or military-style firearms. pic.twitter.com/kRh2WRHgMU
— Ben Paviour (@BPaves) January 20, 2020
There are several groups waiting on General Assembly leadership meetings (or trying to force the meetings by creating a showdown) https://t.co/MSkcIuWxYm pic.twitter.com/1BPKhlP7Mn
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) January 20, 2020
Bigger crowd outside the Virginia Capitol right now than inside where guns are barred. Security screening went smoothly. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/xZP0Ju04xv
— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) January 20, 2020
Good morning. Here in Richmond for @townhallcom to cover the gun rights rally outside the statehouse. Lots of people are choosing to stay outside of the security zone. pic.twitter.com/73F9DhgRCN
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 20, 2020
Meanwhile, on the inside, legislators attempt to continue to work despite what is assembling outside. Unfortunately, many people who might testify on these bills, incl. those from @GovernorVA‘s administration, are staying away (see empty chairs), making it harder to legislate. pic.twitter.com/fCJSHH6sX6
— VAPLAN (@vaplan2018) January 20, 2020
Here’s a line of heavily armed rally attendees outside the VA Capitol pic.twitter.com/ze2ZUYf0SR
— Ned Oliver (@nedoliver) January 20, 2020
Richmond, across from the security line into the capitol pic.twitter.com/B0YIQmNnVZ
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020
Still waiting in line to get into the captiol. Have seen about 7 big buses pull past so far. pic.twitter.com/JOA8i8tInQ
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020
Quick look at Va. gun rally ~6:30 a.m.:
— Small groups, some heavily armed, milling around
— A line is starting to form to get into the Capitol
— Police preparing to deploy dump trucks to prevent car attacks on closed roadways pic.twitter.com/L97NjVKTEw— Ned Oliver (@nedoliver) January 20, 2020
Just Alex Jones and Proud Boys and entourage in front of the capitol in Richmond, and scattered media prepping their own stand ups in the vicinity. No protesters, no one interviewing Jones. pic.twitter.com/o508Exmwtk
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 19, 2020
I’m in Richmond and will be reporting on the Second Amendment rally tomorrow morning. This just drove by the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/xmyOZ8MS37
— Alissa Skelton (@AlissaSkelton) January 20, 2020
My hope is that everyone traveling to Richmond tomorrow is coming with peaceful intentions and the day will pass without incident. Our country was founded on free speech and a right to assemble. We can protect those rights while ensuring Virginians are safe #IStandWithVirginia
— Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) January 19, 2020
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