About 50 communities across the Commonwealth are gearing up for No Kings Day – a protest against Trump administration policies. From noon until 2 on Saturday, organizer Dan Doernberg says Charlottesville will rally at the Stonefield Shopping Center.
“It is supposed to be a hot day, and there may be a little bit of rain, but people are quite motivated, and we’re expecting a large crowd.”
He predicts the event will be peaceful.
“We have teams of marshals in vests, and we have walkie talkies. We have had some training in de-escalation tactics.”
Earlier in the day a local theater company will perform on the downtown mall before Senator Mark Warner hosts a town hall at 10 in the Jefferson Theater.
On Friday, Governor Glenn Youngkin said state authorities have been monitoring and preparing for the events. Youngkin said he supports the First Amendment and the right to demonstrate. But he added there will be zero tolerance for violence, vandalism or law-breaking.
"And if you violate the law, you’re going to be arrested," he told reporters. "So, we are mobilizing substantial resources across the Commonwealth—state police, local resources and yes National Guard resources—to make sure we have substantial presence."
Youngkin said National Guard soldiers have already been training and will be positioned around the state with Virginia State Police.
