Northam Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Gun Rights Rally On Monday

Juan Herrera
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — Ahead of expected gun rights demonstrations in Richmond on Monday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency and a ban on firearms and other weapons on the capitol grounds.

We have received credible intelligence from our law enforcement agencies of threats of violence surrounding the demonstration planned for Monday, January 20. This includes extremist rhetoric similar to what has been seen before major incidents, such as Charlottesville in 2017.

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 15, 2020

In a press release, Northam announced that the emergency declaration would be in effect from Friday, Jan.17 at 5:00 p.m. to Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5:00 p.m.

This intelligence suggests militia groups and hate groups, some from out of state, plan to come to the Capitol to disrupt our democratic process with acts of violence.

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 15, 2020

Northam attributed the emergency declaration to “threats of violence surrounding the demonstration planned for Monday.” This declaration prohibits all weapons, including firearms, from Capitol grounds.

Northam said law enforcement intelligence analysts have determined that militia groups and hate groups plan to be at the state capital on Monday. He said the declaration is needed to keep the public safe.

We support citizens’ rights to peacefully protest and express their views to their elected officials. But we must also keep the public, as well as those who work around Capitol Square, safe.

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 15, 2020