15 September, 2017
"We're here out-of-state. but everyone else that we're going to be standing up with tomorrow are Virginia residents".
A Tennessee-based Confederate heritage group is helping organize a rally near Richmond's massive monument of General Robert E. Lee.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney backed Durham's stance, issuing a warning to protesters and counter-protesters alike.
"I would like everyone to know we are cooperating with police. they are here for everyone's safety", Brandau said. "That's not why we are here", Brandau said.
Richmond wants people to protest peacefully.
This isn't beanbag. As we saw in Charlottesville, two sides are coming to go to war... or as we saw in Boston, one side - the political left - came ready to go to war. "Have you no sensibility?"
The Richmond Times-Dispatch isn't playing footsie with its reporting, either - the message from Richmond Police and from Richmond elected officials is unequivocal and clear - break the law, go to jail. Police said they had no authority to do either, however.
"My recommendation, and don't take this the wrong way, don't show up", Durham replied.
Streets will be closed and police say weapons like bats, flag poles, and shields will be prohibited. Protesters who tried to hide their identities with masks would be arrested, no questions asked. Durham said. "Ladies and gentleman, the right to assemble is a constitutional right". "That's the struggle here".
State police, Capitol police, Henrico, Chesterfield, and VCU were all united to say they're doing all they can to keep you safe.
