Virginia Governor Declares State of Emergency As Thousands Protest At Capitol

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) declared a State of Emergency over the weekend, banning weapons from the State Capitol ahead of a pro-gun rally scheduled for Monday.

The first-term Governor, who survived a blackface scandal last year said that, “intelligence shows a threat of armed militia groups storming our capitol”.

The political divide in the state has steadily grown since Democrats flipped the State Legislature in November with gun control being the centerpiece in the battle of ideas.

Not surprisingly, Virginia Democrats are pushing a number of gun control measures through the Democrat-controlled legislature, including the controversial “red flag” law, universal background checks and a handgun purchase limit of one per month.

In response, as many as 100 municipalities across the state have declared themselves “2nd Amendment sanctuary cities”, declaring their refusal to enforce unconstitutional gun laws.

Monday’s rally, which saw at least 22,000 in attendance, was hosted by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-gun group that regularly lobbies for 2A-friendly legislation.

Governor Northam cited the 2017 death of a counter-protester at the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville as justification saying, “We must take all precautions to prevent that from ever happening again.”

President Trump voiced his disapproval over the weekend tweeting,

“Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s what happens when you vote for Democrats, they will take your guns away. Republicans will win Virginia in 2020. Thank you Dems!”

Ironically, the restriction on weapons may have only increased the chance of violence as it gave police the authority to approach and disarm peaceful protesters. However, photos emerged of some officers partaking by holding a banner that read “we support the 2nd Amendment”.

It was almost as if the liberal media were hoping for violence, routinely describing the rally attendees as “far right militia” and even labeling them as “white supremacists”.

The leftist media were rebuked as the rally had a huge turnout and went without incident. Video even emerged of some of the attendees cleaning up trash after the event.

A statement released by Governor Northam reads in part, “We are all glad that today passed without incident”. Northam gave a nod to law enforcement for “keeping Virginia safe”.

The rally was a fitting rebuttal for a Governor whose state flag boasts the rallying cry “Sic Semper Tyrannis” or “thus always to tyrants.”