OpEd by Michael Flynn Jr.
If you listened to any of the usual conflated rhetoric from the fake news media over the past month, you were likely led to believe that the “Lobby Day Rally 2020”, held at the State Capital building in Richmond, VA was sure to be a repeat of the 2017 Charlottesville, VA disaster. It was in Charlottesville, where violence between white nationalists, left-wing counter protesters, and members of a radical group known as Antifa eventually led to an alt-right degenerate plowing into a crowd, killing one woman and injuring several others.
It was speculated that law enforcement in Charlottesville were told to “not intervene unless commanded to do so”, and that this directive ultimately led to unnecessary violence. Curious if Richmond Police were given any similar command/s, I decided to speak with one of the officers on duty as I departed the rally.
I asked if he remembered the events that took place in Charlottesville, VA and if Richmond Police were given any similar orders/commands (as was speculated in Charlottesville). The officer told me, “No stand down commands given. We were a lot more involved in the planning of today’s event.” I then thanked the officer for his service and as I walked away asked, “How much of the noise leading up to today’s event turned out to be hype?” He responded with a wry smile, “99%”.
The left used every scare tactic possible to ensure low turnout. This was clearly an attempt to create a crafted optic showing there was little support for the movement. The left wanted “Charlottesville 2.0”.
Hell, Antifa didn’t even show up. I was made aware early in the day their “organization” told them to stay home. It seems the “living in mommy/daddy’s basement crowd” only show in cities where they aren’t afraid of the police. That way, they can feel free to attack unarmed citizen journalists, like Andy Ngo was assaulted in Portland, Oregon.
The left was utterly disappointed, as their narrative was crushed. Yesterday freedom loving, 2nd amendment patriots of all races, creeds, and backgrounds descended on Richmond and gathered peacefully, without incident.
Photo by: Michael Flynn Jr. 2nd Amendment supporters peacefully assemble in VA on 1/20/20.
Prior to the event, Governor Northam decided to declare a “state of emergency” and thought it best to have a giant fence surrounding the capital building to keep those pesky gun-toting right-wing nuts “off his lawn”. It is so ironic how the left love walls only at their convenience.
Those of you who are reading this don’t need a history lesson on the second amendment.
We know the 2nd amendment is there to protect the first one. If the federal government begins any type of tyrannical control of the masses, we citizens have a God given right to protect and secure our freedom. History has shown time and time again, that when a government takes away that right, true tyranny and genocide follow. The 2nd amendment is our protection against this happening in the United States.
In 2019, Democrats won control of Virginia's General Assembly, returning the party to full power over the legislature and governorship for the first time since 1993.
This result had better serve as a wakeup call to every red state across this country. Simply look at one of the very first issues the newly elected Virginia Democrats set their sights on; “Gun Control.” And the key word is control. This is a party who knows virtually zero about firearms, more often than not calling every one under the sun a “weapon of war” or an “assault weapon”. They believe solving the gun violence crisis in America requires passing more laws that (in virtually every case) never address the actual crime/criminal, but always affect the law-abiding gun owner. The left rarely (if ever) address gun violence within the very cities they represent. On and on the empty rhetoric continues and nothing is accomplished to solve actual gun violence.
I now want address the issue on my mind while I walked through the very inspired group of like-minded patriots. First, the initial reaction to the proposed gun legislation prompted organizations such as the VCDL (Virginia Citizens Defense League) to organize.
Photo by: Michael Flynn Jr.- A man is interviewed by media while peacefully protesting Virginia’s proposed gun legislation
Their efforts over the past 8 weeks have led to the "sanctuary city" initiative, where 91 out of 95 counties in Virginia have proclaimed themselves second amendment sanctuaries. It was amazing to see Virginians and others from across the country mobilize in support of this and the 2nd amendment, producing massive crowds supporting an extremely important cause.
A major reason Virginia Republicans are in this situation is because we didn’t use that same inspiration to get our asses to the ballot box in previous election cycles. It’s amazing when it comes to the 2nd amendment how quickly the right mobilizes. That same desire and inspiration will be required in future elections no matter what election season. If we want our republic to survive, we must exercise the very power given to us as American citizens.
I decided to write this article today for a variety of reasons. I am Virginia citizen. I am a gun owner. Most importantly, l love the United States of America and want my son to grow up having the same freedoms his “papa” and great grandfather fought to protect.
We all need to do more. I know I will.
