Posted by: Swinger
Intel on Lobby day - 01/13/20 04:20 PM
This was posted on arfcom.
Originally Posted By BlackFox:
I spent about 20 minutes talking to the heads of the Capital PD this morning, and want to pass along some notes. I recognized two senior officers, and told them I was coming with a large group on Monday - and wanted to talk about how we can better coordinate with them. One of them was a politician, the other less so.
I told them we were coming in full gear, and wanted to see if they had any requests (about where to stage, etc.). They didn't. They told us to make sure we brought food and water, and when I asked about bathrooms - they said there would be 15 port-a-potties set up (for 100,000 people? ). The nicer of the two talked about "you might be surprised how many people are on your side of this." The other was polite, but guarded.
Today there were 4 or more Virginia State Police at every entrance to the capital grounds. There were dog handlers, and all the LE around me stopped whatever they were doing every time a radio lit up. They were definitely a little on edge. With that said, I didn't see anyone in armor or really geared up. By the way, I walked the entire area and then 1 block out and then 2 blocks out. The EMS people were staged exactly where we expected. If anyone else was out, they were very discrete. Anyway, I asked them directly about whether we should expect the new governor and his cronies to suppress our demonstration, and they both looked a bit uncomfortable. I told them that we came in peace, and insist that we be given the opportunity to visibly and peacefully assemble at the Capital (not 2 blocks away). The more political one stated that he would not reveal any security measures they had prepared for next week, but that we should watch the news Friday - where new rules will be announced. He stated we all needed to come prepared to follow these rules, and that any bad behavior would not help our cause. There was a comment made at one point along the lines of "we don't want to arrest everyone that shows up on Monday." I told them "If our right to peacefully assemble at the Capital is denied, I don't think that's going to go over very well. This isn't a threat from me, but I feel very strongly there are people who won't tolerate that." They looked uncomfortable.
My personal opinion - they're going to close the entire grounds to anyone armed. They stated the roads were the purview of the Richmond PD, but the capital grounds were under the direction of the Governor, and he could absolutely establish new rules there. Again, he insisted we watch the news and come prepared to follow the rules that would be announced this Friday. It's clear they're not only ramming through these laws ASAP this week, I firmly believe they will try to deflate our cause next week - and push our rally back to a distance where our cause is diminished.
So, keep an ear open on friday for the demonrats to pull shenanigans. Probably making the grounds 'gun free' or having a designated 'rally area' several blocks away. Also, don't plan on ALL of the cops being on our side, or even sympathetic. Their paychecks come before our rights.
Originally Posted By BlackFox:
I spent about 20 minutes talking to the heads of the Capital PD this morning, and want to pass along some notes. I recognized two senior officers, and told them I was coming with a large group on Monday - and wanted to talk about how we can better coordinate with them. One of them was a politician, the other less so.
I told them we were coming in full gear, and wanted to see if they had any requests (about where to stage, etc.). They didn't. They told us to make sure we brought food and water, and when I asked about bathrooms - they said there would be 15 port-a-potties set up (for 100,000 people? ). The nicer of the two talked about "you might be surprised how many people are on your side of this." The other was polite, but guarded.
Today there were 4 or more Virginia State Police at every entrance to the capital grounds. There were dog handlers, and all the LE around me stopped whatever they were doing every time a radio lit up. They were definitely a little on edge. With that said, I didn't see anyone in armor or really geared up. By the way, I walked the entire area and then 1 block out and then 2 blocks out. The EMS people were staged exactly where we expected. If anyone else was out, they were very discrete. Anyway, I asked them directly about whether we should expect the new governor and his cronies to suppress our demonstration, and they both looked a bit uncomfortable. I told them that we came in peace, and insist that we be given the opportunity to visibly and peacefully assemble at the Capital (not 2 blocks away). The more political one stated that he would not reveal any security measures they had prepared for next week, but that we should watch the news Friday - where new rules will be announced. He stated we all needed to come prepared to follow these rules, and that any bad behavior would not help our cause. There was a comment made at one point along the lines of "we don't want to arrest everyone that shows up on Monday." I told them "If our right to peacefully assemble at the Capital is denied, I don't think that's going to go over very well. This isn't a threat from me, but I feel very strongly there are people who won't tolerate that." They looked uncomfortable.
My personal opinion - they're going to close the entire grounds to anyone armed. They stated the roads were the purview of the Richmond PD, but the capital grounds were under the direction of the Governor, and he could absolutely establish new rules there. Again, he insisted we watch the news and come prepared to follow the rules that would be announced this Friday. It's clear they're not only ramming through these laws ASAP this week, I firmly believe they will try to deflate our cause next week - and push our rally back to a distance where our cause is diminished.
So, keep an ear open on friday for the demonrats to pull shenanigans. Probably making the grounds 'gun free' or having a designated 'rally area' several blocks away. Also, don't plan on ALL of the cops being on our side, or even sympathetic. Their paychecks come before our rights.