quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
For those of you going, I wonder if it would be better to protest outside the fencing and refuse to enter.

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
UPDATE: Virginia Supreme Court rejects gun groups' bid to overturn Northam's gun ban

https://www.richmond.com/news/...5a-239647ecaa12.html

Citing the "extraordinary" nature of an injunction, the "weighty issues" involved and a lack of sufficient information, the Virginia Supreme Court Friday evening refused an emergency petition seeking to bar enforcement of Gov. Ralph Northam's temporary gun ban on the grounds of the state Capitol.

The ruling leaves in place the ban Northam imposed earlier this week, citing concerns about public safety at a gun-rights rally planned for Monday at the state Capitol that organizers say could draw 50,000 people. Northam's order bars guns and other weapons from Capitol Square from Friday night through Tuesday night.

A Richmond Circuit Court judge had upheld the ban late Thursday. Gun Owners of America, The Virginia Citizens Defense League and others appealed that decision to the Virginia Supreme Court.

In a two-page order Friday, the justices wrote: "Under the circumstances, we are unable to discern whether the circuit court abused its discretion.

"The circuit court decided this case in less than one day, and, accordingly, the record before the court is scant, there is no transcript or written statement of facts detailing the events of the hearing, and we are unaware of any evidence that was taken. The only information we have on which to resolve the weighty issues raised by the parties are pleadings accompanied by cursory attachments. Accordingly, the petition is refused."

The firearms-rights advocates filed a lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court Thursday against Northam and Capitol Police Chief Steve Pike, whose agency would enforce the ban. The complaint includes three citizen plaintiffs who say they were planning to attend Monday’s rally with their firearms.

"Without relief from this court, petitioners and thousands of other rally participants will be irreparably denied their right to bear arms," they argued in their emergency appeal.

Judge Joi J. Taylor presided over a hearing Thursday afternoon and ruled against the plaintiffs just as court closed for a four-day weekend, prompting the appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring argued Friday that Taylor did not abuse her discretion in denying a bid to block Northam's executive order.

The attorney general argued, among other things, that the order does not violate the right to bear arms; that there is no constitutional right to carry firearms in Capitol Square; that there is no violation of free speech or assembly; and that any restriction is justified by the interests in protecting public safety.
"The governor is vested with the power to take action from time to time as is necessary for the adequate promotion and coordination of state and local emergency services activities relating to the safety and welfare of the commonwealth," Taylor wrote in her three-page ruling.

"The plaintiffs in this case will not suffer an irreparable harm sufficient to justify the injunction," she added.

Lawyers for the firearms-rights groups did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said it is possible the gun-rights advocates could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. "But I don't think they are going to get much of a reception there, either," he said.

"As the court says, it's such a weighty matter; it's the 11th hour; it's just too important a question about the 1st and 2nd Amendments and an emergency to rush to judgment. I think they're saying, better safe than sorry," said Tobias.

Northam said Thursday, "I took this action to protect Virginians from credible threats of violence. These threats are real." Earlier this week, the FBI arrested three men in Maryland and Delaware who are alleged white nationalists or neo-Nazis and who discussed plans to head to Richmond armed with guns.

Northam issued the temporary ban on firearms and other weapons in advance of the rally organized by the VCDL to protest gun control legislation Democratic lawmakers are proposing.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
From what I hear, protestors would be in a fenced off area with only one entry/exit present.

This has all the makings of another deliberately planned Charlottesville type scenario with hoped for violence.
No thanks.

For those of you going, I wonder if it would be better to protest outside the fencing and refuse to enter.

quote:

Show up and be armed, stay outside the fence. Show Northam and Bloomberg that we won't go into his cage, show them we won't be disarmed! Show Northam and Bloomberg, we will not be walking into his box cars

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Originally posted by vthoky:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by lbj:
For those of you going, I wonder if it would be better to protest outside the fencing and refuse to enter.

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Originally posted by thunderson:
No fences for moi

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Originally posted by 95flhr:

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
From what I hear, protestors would be in a fenced off area with only one entry/exit present.

This has all the makings of another deliberately planned Charlottesville type scenario with hoped for violence.
No thanks.

For those of you going, I wonder if it would be better to protest outside the fencing and refuse to enter.

I’ll be there, but no way in hell will I go into the fenced area.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
For those of you going, I wonder if it would be better to protest outside the fencing and refuse to enter.

This is the plan my coworkers who are going have discussed. No flippin' way we're going into that pen.

quote:

Originally posted by redstone:
I am kinda bummed. My friends have all backed out. I could drive but we were all going to ride together.

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Originally posted by 95flhr:

quote:

Originally posted by redstone:
I am kinda bummed. My friends have all backed out. I could drive but we were all going to ride together.

Look at one of the busses or carpool deals VCDL has listed. I’m taking one of the out of Ashland.