Gun activists including the Boogaloo Boys and Proud Boys descend on Virginia's Richmond Capitol building for Second Amendment rally just 110 miles from Washington DC, despite heavy police presence ahead of Inauguration Day
Gun rights activists have converged near Virginia's State Capitol building Monday for an annual Second Amendment rally, despite heightened security measures ahead of Inauguration Day.
The demonstration is taking place just 110 miles south of Washington DC, where President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in Wednesday, and so far members of the Boogaloo Boys, the Proud Boys and the Black Panthers have made an appearance despite the State Capitol being fenced off, streets shut down, and heavy police presence.
The rally, known as 'Lobby Day', is an annual event in Virginia where citizens take to the steps of the State Capitol on the first Monday after the General Assembly convenes for its annual legislative session to raise their concerns.
Gun rights group the Virginia Citizens Defense League always brings a thousands of participants to the event to petition state lawmakers to loosen gun curbs.
This year's event falls at an especially tense time this year, weeks after the January 6 Capitol seige that left five people dead.
Authorities are now on alert in Richmond, especially following a year in which anti-racist and white nationalist demonstrators clashed across the United States, and as strident Trump supporters cling to hope he can remain in power.
Gun rights activists have converged on the Virginia state capital on Monday for the annual gun rights 'Lobby Day' rally, despite heightened security measures across the country ahead of Inauguration Day. A view of one pro-gun activist walking through the streets around Richmond's Virginia State Capital carrying an assault rifle and a blue and pink Transgender Pride flag and a US Army flag above
A view of a gun activist carrying the US Army flag and Transgender Pride flag above in the empty streets of Richmond ahead of the state capital Lobby Day pro-gun rally
Members of the Boogaloo Boys pictured above with other gun rights rights activists near the State House on Monday. Boogaloo members are often identified by their attire of Hawaiian shirts and military fatigues
A member of the 'boogaloo boys' pictured with other gun rights activists in front of the State House on Monday in Richmond, Virginia. Boogaloo is a far-right, anti-government extremist movement made up of pro-gun and anti-government groups
Gun rights activists pictured in heavy military garb pictured in front of the State House on Monday. Last year pro-gun group Virginia Citizens Defense League brought over 20,000 people to the rally to the event
Armed Black activists in all-black uniforms pictured protesting outside the Virginia State Capitol with weapons on Monday
A caravan rally was held where cars drove near the Capitol to express their support for the Second Amendment. Usually a large rally of thousands descends upon the Capitol steps, but it was canceled this year due to the pandemic. This truck carried pro-gun flags and this man held a sign saying 'Guns Save Lives' during Monday's caravan
This year's Lobby Day will be different from the years prior. This year a perimeter of barricades and police officers block protester access to the steps of the State House. Heavy police presence pictured above at Richmond Virginia's State Capitol
The Virginia Citizens Defense League is planning to bring four caravans of people from across the commonwealth with them.
The nonprofit said they have caravans leaving from Fairfax, Hampton, Emporia and Staunton. Last year the group brought over 20,000 to the event, as per WRIC.
Those orange buses were seen rolling into Richmond after noon. One bus was emblazoned with the phrase: 'Owning a gun is not a crime…let’s keep it that way.'
This year due to coronavirus restrictions all permitted events for Lobby Day have been cancelled but a car parade for gun rights will unfold downtown.
The House of Delegates will meet virtually for this year's legislative session but the Virginia State Senate will meet in person at a Science Museum event center for greater social distancing. The State Capitol is completely closed to the public through Thursday.
A small caravan of about 10 vehicles drove past the museum shortly before the Senate convened Monday, but the lawmakers inside couldn't see the parade of cars.
Arriving by the bus load: A view of the Virginia Citizens Defense League's bus bringing in gun rights advocates from across the state to the Capitol for Lobby Day
Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, walks through a gun rights rally near the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia on Monday
Members of the Proud Boys gather outside the Virginia State Capitol on Lobby Day, wearing their uniform polos and carrying their black and yellow flag
Members of the Proud Boys pictured walking past police officers near the Virginia State Capitol on Monday
Members of the boogaloo boys raise their fists in front of the State House during Monday's gun activist event
This armed person carried an insignia associated with the Boogaloo Movement attends a protest outside the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond on Monday
A group of black gun activists pictured above in Richmond, Virginia on Monday
Members of the Black Panthers joing other gun rights advocates in front of the State House on Monday in Richmond, Virginia
A member of the Boogaloo Boys pictured crading a gun during the Lobby Day gathering on Monday in Richmond, Virginia
An armed man marches with a group to the Virginia State Capitol on Lobby Day, a day traditionally set aside for the public to lobby lawmakers, in Richmond, Virginia on Monday
A sign resminds people that carrying firearms specifically near the Capitol Square is a violation of a city ordinance. The ordinance was passed last year after Lobby Day 2020 saw 20,000 Second Amendment supporters flock to the Capitol square
Richmond Police have asked people to stay away from the downtown area on Monday.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said the heightened security was to keep Lobby Day demonstrators peaceful and protections will be in place through Thursday.
Gov. Ralph Northam said the Virginia National Guard is also on standby to assist law enforcement if necessary.
Nationwide pro-Trump demonstrations scheduled for Sunday largely fizzled after the FBI issued warnings and several states deployed the National Guard.
'We’re showing up to remind them that we’re still here,' a gun rights activist, who identified himself only as Trevor, said outside the Virginia statehouse on Sunday evening, walking the perimeter to help plan the protest.
Lobby Day always falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday honoring the civil rights leader assassinated in 1968.
On Monday a slew of controversial groups gathered at Richmond including the Boogaloo Boys, the Proud Boys, the Black Panthers, and Trump supporters. Other liberal groups could make an appearance as well.
Boogaloo Boys also walked the perimeter of the statehouse on Sunday, striking poses with semiautomatic rifles for photographers.
Philip Van Cleave, leader of the defense league, said demonstrators would come from as far away as New York and Texas.
The group says it plans to petition state lawmakers to loosen gun curbs, as it has done during many Lobby Days in the past.
'We’ve been doing this for 25 years,' Van Cleve added.
'We’ve never had a single problem. No arrests, nothing.'
The gathering comes after the FBI issued a serious warning last week that all 50 state capitals over the few weeks are at risk for attacks similar to the insurrection that unfolded on January 6 at the US Capitol.
A view of gun rights activists walking in Richmond ahead of the Lobby Day pro gun rally above. This man wears a sweater that reads 'North Shore Gun Club'
Blocked off: Last yearthe rally drew thousands who swarmed in front of the Capitol. This year non-scalable fences, metal barricades and police presence block off access to the building
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said the heightened security was to keep Lobby Day demonstrators peaceful and protections will be in place through Thursday. Gov. Ralph Northam said the Virginia National Guard is also on standby to assist law enforcement if necessary
Armed second amendment supporters a carry mock up of Gov. Ralph Northam with the sign 'Northam The Infringer' on 9th Street near CapitolS quare on Monday
Members of the Boogaloo Boys join other gun advocates in front of the State House on Monday
A line of Boogaloo Boys pictured standing in a line in heavy military garb and Hawaiian floral shirts and face masks
A view of different groups of gun activists raising a fist together near the Richmond Capitol building on Monday
Members of a pro-gun group called the New Black Panther Party of Virginia stand with their weapons near the state Capitol Monday
A man pictured handing out stickers that say 'Guns Save Lives' as Second Amendment supporters carry signs to support passing cars part of the gun rights caravan
Members of pro-gun group called the Last Sons of Liberty stand with their weapons near the State Capitol on Monday
This year due to coronavirus restrictions all permitted events for Lobby Day have been cancelled but a car parade for gun rights will unfold downtown. The House of Delegates will meet virtually but the Virginia State Senate will meet in person at the State House
Police on bikes pictured at Richmond's Virginia State Capitol building on Monday
A view of a police officer standing next to a fence around Richmond's State Capitol building Monday
Boogaloo boys also walked the perimeter of the statehouse on Sunday, striking poses with semiautomatic rifles for photographers
Philip Van Cleave, leader of the defense league, said demonstrators would come from as far away as New York and Texas. The group says it plans to petition state lawmakers to loosen gun curbs, as it has done during many Lobby Days in the past. 'We’ve been doing this for 25 years,' Van Cleve added. 'We’ve never had a single problem. No arrests, nothing'
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