It is 7 AM in the city of Richmond, Virginia on the day of what I will be calling the Big Gun Clusterfuck.
Initially a rally by self-admitted 2nd Amendment extremist group VCDL, it has become a lightning rod for militias across the country.
Initially a rally by self-admitted 2nd Amendment extremist group VCDL, it has become a lightning rod for militias across the country.
Most credible estimates I've seen so far suspect 10-15,000 attendees. However VCDL says they might get up to 120,000. This seems unlikely to me.
The FBI has of course carried out several arrests of members of The Base who planned God knows what. Threats hang in the air.
The FBI has of course carried out several arrests of members of The Base who planned God knows what. Threats hang in the air.
I'm gonna shower and grab coffee so it may be a little while before I get into the street in a meaningful way.
I am on the street now. Police presence is heavy and roads are blocked off on the way to the Pocahontas building.
Here we see the General Assembly building, where Richmond does its lobbying. Demonstrators are already present. Most unarmed.
My first signs of the day are courtesy of this friendly couple.
And here are my first rifles of the day.
Having a nice conversation about gun laws with this fellow. He tells me "This is the book I show to black people."
He also wants me to know that, even though Democrats want to get rid of the electoral college, Lincoln wouldn't have won without it. "Blacks would still be enslaved if it weren't for the electoral college."
If you haven't heard this phrase, it is essentially a religious axiom among the gun nut community. People believe this hard.
Here is a wide shot of the rally. Note the police on the roof.
I ask him if this is a specific tyrant. He says:
"Not yet. They have to self identify as tyrants first."
"Not yet. They have to self identify as tyrants first."
Famous Hitler, Virginia governor Northam.
These folks thankfully have their barrels pointed down. I've been swept by two rifles already.
Someone just said "here's that guy from infowars." And sure enough, there he is. Any questions you want answered @knowledge_fight ?
There is police overwatch on 10th and Main too.
This is the proud Infowars film crew and security, respectively.
These "Guns Save Lives" stickers are all the rage today.
It is very crowded now. Definitely thousands in attendance. Crowd is shouting "Northam Out" intermittently.
More guns and more masked gunmen every minute.
This fellow claims the former of his house, a deported Mexican woman, is being registered to vote by Governor Northam. Personally I have doubts.
"Let's abort Northam."
Boy howdy this was a conversation.
My first Garand of the day!
I am definitely noticing more masked folks and larger cohesive groups of armed folks as the morning goes on.
And here I see my first RWDS (Right Wing Death Squad) patch of the day.
I ask one Proud Boy what his RWDS badge stands for. He is unwilling to answer.
"Rooftop Voter". I wonder what that means.
OH MY GOD SOMEONE FROM THE BLEACH CHURCH IS HERE @BillyWayneDavis
This man has decided today is the day to show off his $10,000 rifle.
It's like being back in Iraq, only no one knows how to use the weapons!
Prayer works apparently
The crowd is sizable.
Oh glorious day I found the infowars "tank"
This dude brought a Shofar. He tells me it is what ancient Jew blew when going to war. And feasts.
It is unbelievably packed near the capitol.
Tyranny Crusher 4000 has been deployed.
I stopped for coffee and a caravan of 18 wheelers drove by, engine breaking at 5 mph. They appear to be part of the protest.
The flag appreciated has arrived.
Jovi Val here, denying the Holocaust. So we have a Nazi loudly expressing himself here.
Jovi Val, admitting to being a National Socialist, here on camera.
An interesting moment here, as a right wing demonstrator is incensed at Jovi and his friends expressing support for Hitler. He calls Jovi a "liberal". One of Jovi's people desperately tries to convince the man that Jovi is on the right.
This man is the best equipped person I've seen today.
Happy MLK day everybody.
Here is a distance shot of the whole mess. The police are increasingly blocking off streets.
Absolutely incredible bumper stickers
And the winner of today's coveted "least secured firearm" award is...
Took a quick trip but I am back out in it. Notice the Confederate flag at the end.
Numerous times at different places chunks of the crowd engage in loud recitations of the pledge of allegiance and chants of "USA"
"Slide it in like a gentleman."
The Margaritaville Light Infantry are well represented.
Finally, some Qanon.
This guy claims this George Washington's first flag.
There are so many flags here that I have never seen before.
It's important to respect the American flag.
Oh, someone brought a guillotine.
Safety fifth or whatever.
Ralph Northam is taking some body blows today.
Footage of a walk through the crowd.
Never forget.
The Capitol grounds are now closed and police are attempting to gently urge dispersal of the rally.
I believe this is Rep Nick Freitas making a speech.
Infowars branded holsters coming to a conspiracy theorist near you.
Aaaaand I think that is about it. The rally is mostly dispersed. Random groups of heavily armed men and women will continue to traipse about for a while but this is essentially done.
