Virginia gun rally: anti-fascist activists will not mount counter-protest – The Guardian

As conspiracy theories about what “antifa” activists may do at Lobby Day continue to distribute on the right, one Richmond-based anti-fascist group has openly pressed back against such rumors.

In contrast, Monday is Lobby Day, an annual occasion arranged by a gun rights group, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, that draws in a series of regional citizens.

“There is no counter-demonstration prepared for the 20 January merging of armed militias on Virginia’s capitol,” Conger wrote on Twitter on Saturday.”Conditions [on] Monday will not be safe. This is not an outcome we can impact.”Anti-fascist groups mentioned several reasons for their decision, including serious hazards of violence, their own opposition to some gun control steps proposed by the Virginia federal government

“The Charlottesville event was, from the beginning, an occasion by neo-Nazis and for neo-Nazis,” a Twitter account run anonymously by a long time Richmond anti-fascist activist

said on Saturday.”There were no other players. Everybody entering into that occasion understood precisely who would be getting involved and there wasn’t the danger of 5,000 unknowing topics captured in the middle.”

Anti-fascist activists will not mount a counter-protest at a weapon rights rally at Virginia’s state capitol on Monday that is anticipated to attract thousands, consisting of white supremacists and anti-government militia groups. Anti-fascists from Richmond and Charlottesville publicly advised fans to prevent the rally altogether, citing severe security issues. Molly Conger, a journalist and activist, informed the Guardian activists in Charlottesville had actually concurred to encourage supporters to keep away.

The activist said numerous residents showing up to the rally will likely have had no experience with volatile demonstration environments.

“Hey! Antifascists are NOT bussing [individuals] in,” Antifa Seven Hills

composed on Twitter.”In fact we are encouraging folks to keep away from the capitol and downtown [Richmond] due to the fact that of reactionary escalations like this.”

and concern for ordinary gun owners preparing to participate in the rally. A variety of arrests have actually highlighted the threat of white supremacist violence at the event. Among those apprehended are alleged members of a neo-Nazi group, consisting of guys who

supposedly talked about opening fire at the Richmond rally, and males who were charged with outlining to murder an antifascist couple in Georgia. As white supremacists, militia groups and conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones revealed strategies to participate in, the event has actually drawn contrasts to the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in August 2017, which produced extensive violence and the murder of counter-protester Heather Heyer. Some local activists who keep an eye on the far right, nevertheless, stated there were clear distinctions this time.

“I anticipate a lot of the participants to be older, working class Virginians that are not far-right and do not fit into the category of any hate group,” the anonymous anti-fascist activist who runs the Richmond Twitter account informed the Guardian. “Part of the concern is their safety.”

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Anti-fascist activists will not mount a counter-protest at a gun rights rally weapon Virginia’s state capitol on Monday that is expected to attract thousands, draw in white supremacists and anti-government militia groups. 1″> Anti-fascists from Richmond and Charlottesville publicly advised supporters to avoid the rally altogether, pointing out serious security concerns. A number of arrests have actually highlighted the risk of white supremacist violence at the occasion.”The Charlottesville event was, from the beginning, an occasion by neo-Nazis and for neo-Nazis,” a Twitter account run anonymously by a longtime Richmond anti-fascist activist

said on SaturdayStated”I anticipate a lot of the individuals to be older, working class Virginians that are not reactionary and do not fit into the classification of any hate group,” the anonymous anti-fascist activist who runs the Richmond Twitter account informed the Guardian.

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