Virginia Declares State of Emergency After Armed Militias Threaten to Storm the Capitol

The governor said law enforcement had intercepted “extremist rhetoric” similar to the lead-up to Charlottesville days before pro-gun activists are holding a rally.

In response to what he described as “credible intelligence” of threats of violence at an upcoming gun rights rally in Richmond, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency and will temporarily ban individuals from carrying firearms on Capitol grounds.

The governor said at a press conference Wednesday that authorities believe “armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol” during the January 20 rally.

He also said that law enforcement had intercepted threats and “extremist rhetoric” similar to what was observed prior to the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. “We will not allow that mayhem and violence to happen here,” he said.

The decision to ban all weapons, including firearms, won’t sit well with the thousands of gun lovers who are expected to descend on Richmond to participate in what was billed as an open-carry affair and an opportunity to flex Second Amendment rights.

Mamdani says NYPD commissioner apologized after her brother called him ‘enemy’ of the Jewish people at gala

Harvard professor detained by ICE after Boston synagogue shooting, agrees to voluntarily leave US

Democrats’ anger at federal government hit record high just days before shutdown: Pew poll

Breaking: DC Pipe Bomb Suspect’s Family Has History of Working to Free Illegals from ICE, Sued the Trump Admin, And Used Trayvon Martin’s Lawyer to Fight So-Called Racism

Washington DC lights the National Christmas Tree

Ex–New York State official accused of spying for China called Hochul ‘more obedient’ than Cuomo, trial reveals

US carries out 22nd strike on alleged drug vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization

‘I Didn’t Stutter’: Stephen A. Smith and Sunny Hostin Clash on ‘The View’ Over Video Urging Troops to Ignore Trump

Suspected thieves caught on camera smashing Washington state storefront with truck in ATM heist attempt

Grand jury declines to indict Letitia James after earlier case collapsed

FBI says Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect purchased bomb parts in 2019

Trump scores 10 extra nominees after snafu with Senate Democrats

Admiral Tells Congress He Had a Good Reason for Ordering Second Strike on Drug Boat

Violent retaliation against US citizens possible in Venezuela conflict, expert warns

Watch: Prince Harry Snipes at Donald Trump in Cringey Colbert Appearance

“No weapons will be allowed on Capitol grounds,” said Northam, a Democrat. “Everything from sticks and bats to chains and projectiles…. The list also includes firearms. It makes no sense to ban every other weapon but allow firearms when intelligence shows that armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol.”

On the Facebook page for the rally, several attendees are already saying they won’t comply and leave their weapons at home — even though Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has vowed a hard line on rule-breakers. “Violations of the law will not be tolerated,” Stoney said.

The January 20 event, dubbed “Lobby Day,” was organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-Second Amendment nonprofit, in response to new gun control legislation introduced by the Democrat state Legislature. Northam acknowledged that the organizers had been planning the rally for some time. “I believe them when they say this is a peaceful event — that’s what democracy is,” said Northam. “Unfortunately, they have unleashed something much larger, something they may not be able to control.”

Upwards of 5,000 people said on the Facebook page that they plan to attend. Event organizers have warned the state that as many as 100,000 could show up.

A website for the rally shows that at least 60 buses are scheduled to transport attendees into Richmond on Monday. And there’s word that carpools are being organized. What’s more, armed militia groups are also planning to attend, and some have even described the event as a “boogaloo” — a term that the far right uses to describe a second civil war.