Can Charlottesville ban guns at a political rally?
On August 12, when the Unite-the-Right rally came to Charlottesville’s Emancipation Park, there were four groups with assault rifle-style weapons: The State Police riot squad; The National Guard; The so-called III%’ers (shown above), supposedly hired to provide security for the Nazis; and The Redneck Revolt, there to provide security for counter-protesters at Justice Park. None […]...
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Political Demonstrations and Guns
I was in downtown Charlottesville on Saturday, and the single most disconcerting, disorienting, confusing, troubling thing I saw was the “militia” brought in by Jason Kessler and his friends to “protect” their rally. As this picture shows, these militia members — 32, I am told — were dressed in camouflage, some wearing what looked like […]...
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Soliciting and conspiracy, and murder
Continuing with the discussion — James Alex Fields, Jr., who was in Charlottesville to attend the Unite the Right rally, is charged with driving his car on August 12, 2017, into a crowd of counter-protesters four blocks away from Emancipation Park. One young woman was killed and 19 were injured, 5 critically. Fields is charged […]...
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Can speech that incites others to commit crimes be punished?
Quick answer — “Not likely.” On August 12, 2017, Charlottesville resident Jason Kessler staged his “Unite the Right” rally, featuring a star-studded lineup of white nationalist and neo-Nazi speakers. The rally was expected to start at 12 noon. At about 11:35 AM a battle broke out on one side of Emancipation Park; the State Police […]...
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Can Charlottesville Require Insurance for a Demonstration?
No. The City Standard Operating Procedure on Special Events, passed in 2009, distinguishes between “Special Events” — sports events, pageants, music festivals, etc., — and “demonstrations,” a term that refers to “non-commercial expression protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution (such as picketing, political marches, speechmaking, vigils, walks, etc.) conducted on public […]...
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Please explain Virginia’s “unlawful assembly” law?
The Charlottesville anti-Klan protest on July 8 was declared to be an “unlawful assembly” by the Charlottesville Police Department. Here’s how that term is defined in the Virginia Code, and here’s a link to video. You decide....
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McDonnells guilty — now what?
Bob McDonnell was found guilty of all 11 of the corruption charges; Maureen was found guilty of 8 corruption charges, plus one charge of obstruction of justice for trying to make it look like the dresses that Jonnie Williams were “loans.”...
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McDonnell trial — Just what is an “official action”?
Judge James Spencer resolved the most bitterly fought jury instruction issue in favor of the prosecution Tuesday when he ruled that the “official actions” for which Bob could be punished can include things that a Governor customarily does as Governor, not just passing bills or spending government money....
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McDonnell trial — Jury begins to deliberate Tuesday
As we break it down, count-by-count, on the question of whether both Bob and Maureen will have to be found guilty, or whether there are some charges where one might be found guilty and the other found not guilty....
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McDonnell trial — the defense rests. Now what?
Another day of “the marriage was in a shambles” as the McDonnells’ daughter Jeanine testified about how the public displays of affection amounted to a front, like “flipping a switch” when they went out in public. The evidence is about over, and closing arguments are expected on Friday....
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