Officials in Richmond, Va., are bracing the first rally for Confederate war heros since the violent clash in Charlottesville last month, with police warning residents to stay away from the Saturday “protest gathering” around historic Monument Avenue.
In a memo to homeowners near the famed statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, police have asked that they remove items like “bricks, pots or urns” that could be used as weapons.
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Yes we need to…and not back down…we can’t let our history or heritage be destroyed!!! #CSAII #saveoursouthernheritage #Confederate pic.twitter.com/ZWQMlV9DBN
— CSA II® (@thegreatnewcsa) June 24, 2017
They also asked for help in watching those attending the rally. A note to homeowners provided to Secrets said, “Leave exterior lights on and any security cameras rolling.”
The deadly clash in Charlottesville in August has Richmond on edge, though the mayor and police chief have worked to tamp down worries.
A group of less than 100 supporters of the Confederacy, called “CSA II: The New Confederate States of America,” plans to rally on or in the area of Monument Avenue in what was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Its webpage said the group promotes “heritage, not hate.” About the event, CSA said, it “will be standing up to protect the General Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, Virginia from being taken down or destroyed. We hope you will come out and support our efforts and stand tall for our Proud Confederate Monuments.This Rally is a Heritage ~ Not Hate Rally and Hate will NOT be stood for on our side whatsoever.”
On potential Monument Ave events- We will not tolerate any activity that provokes violence or causes harm to any individual. Obey the law. pic.twitter.com/UYXhoLOxnD
— Levar M. Stoney (@LevarStoney) September 14, 2017
Its Facebook page added, “We have no intentions of bringing Hate or Violence to the Great City of Richmond, VA in any way. Also, we are NOT RESPONSIBLE for any other groups actions in relation to them utilizing their Constitutionally Protected 1st Amendment Rights.”
The city is currently debating the future of Lee and other statues. Gov. Terry McAuliffe has barred protests at the Lee statue and CSA said it will soon announce its meeting place for Saturday’s rally and planned protest route.
There will be NO PARKING zones on several streets beginning at 9 am Friday to 11 p.m. Sat for the following roads due to possible assemblies pic.twitter.com/apUy0CcVU4
— Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) September 11, 2017
Counter protests are planned. Black Lives Matter of New York is planning to come and city officials are expecting members of the anarchist group Antifa to show up.
City officials have urged residents to sign up for its “CodeRED Emergency Notification System” alert app so they can be warned of danger.
Just a week ago, a protest group hung eight figures dressed as clowns in Ku Klux Klan robes by the neck in a city park.
Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham has warned protesters that items including masks, flag poles, sticks, shields, and helmets will be barred. But not guns, allowed under state laws.
Below is one memo to homeowners:
- Take any item that can burn or be thrown out of your front or side yard. (furniture may be left if heavy and chained, but no loose bricks, pots or urns etc.)
- Do not come to the event to observe or you may become a participant. Watch it on TV.
- Leaving your car on Monument may not be a good idea – it could get vandalized.
- Report anything you see alarming to the police – 911.
- Leave exterior lights on and any security cameras rolling.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
