A Packed, Peaceful Protest: Activists Descend On Virginia鈥檚 Capitol For Pro-Gun Rally

By Tyrone Turner, WAMU; Daniella Cheslow, WAMU

Published January 20, 2020 at 4:40 PM CST

A variety of flags wave above the crowd, including (but not limited to) the American flag.

In the shadow of looming concern from state officials, the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL)鈥檚 annual lobbying day event and rally Monday went as organizers planned (with the possible exception of )

Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Traditionally, the event has provided the group an opportunity to lobby their representatives about gun issues that matter to the people of Virginia.

The event this year, in part due to the number of Second Amendment supporters that were expected to travel to Richmond from across the region. Supporters were energized by a

But last week, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam鈥檚 citing credible threats of civil unrest and violence.

Less than a day after Northam announced the state of emergency, with ties to the extremist group 鈥淭he Base鈥� who had discussed attending Monday鈥檚 rally. with ties to 鈥淭he Base鈥� though it鈥檚 still unclear if they had any intention of traveling to the event in Virginia.

As crowds gathered this morning, we spent time talking with folks who had made the trip to Richmond:

Outside the Capitol grounds, rally attendees carried signs and flags while others paired tactical gear and helmets, long guns in hand.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by (@wamu885) on Jan 20, 2020 at 8:51am PST

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by (@wamu885) on Jan 20, 2020 at 11:15am PST

Tyrone Turner / WAMU

Shortly after noon, the slate of speakers wrapped up and those who chose to participate in the rally from inside the gated Capitol grounds began the long, but uneventful, process of filing out.

Gun rally dispersing now in Richmond. Protesters made their case and many brought big guns- but during the demo there seemed to be no appetite for the type of fight that erupted in Charlottesville.

鈥� Daniella Cheslow (@Dacheslow)

Capitol Police say that 22,000 people attended today鈥檚 rally, 15,000 outside the gates and 7,000 inside the gated area on the Capitol grounds.

Official say only one person was arrested and there were no violent incidents. The individual arrested was taken in for wearing a mask to conceal their identity.

is a public media reporting project on the role of guns in American life.