Leave your guns at home, Washington police warn pro-Trump rally-goers

By Jonathan Landay

 

FILE PHOTO: Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio addresses supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump and other members of the far-right Proud Boys during a march near the Washington Monument the night before rallies to protest the U.S. presidential election results, in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 11, 2020. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - City officials in Washington on Monday warned supporters of President Donald Trump not to bring guns to protests this week against congressional certification of his election defeat and enlisted hundreds of National Guard troops to help keep order.

 

"We have received some information that there are individuals intent on bringing firearms into our city and that just will not be tolerated," Police Chief Robert Contee told a City Hall news conference, adding that anyone found doing so or provoking violence would be arrested.

 

More than 300 troops will be on hand to support the city government, providing crowd control and aiding fire and rescue services, the D.C. National Guard said in a statement on Monday. They will be joined by the U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Park Police and U.S. Secret Service, Contee said.

 

The District has some of the United States' strictest gun laws, and forbids open carry of weapons or possession of a handgun without a local license.

 

Thousands of Trump supporters, including some far-right nationalist groups that openly carry arms at protests elsewhere, are expected to converge on the U.S. capital starting on Tuesday to oppose Congress' certification the next day of the Republican president’s Nov. 3 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

 

Contee said the protests could be bigger than November and December rallies marred by stabbings and brawls as hundreds of Proud Boys, a group of self-described "Western chauvinists," and other Trump loyalists clashed with counter-protesters, and sought fights with antifa, or anti-fascists, and Black Lives Matter activists.

 

TRUMP PROMISES TO APPEAR

Trump summoned supporters to this week’s gatherings, saying on Twitter on Sunday that "I will be there," and on Friday that "it will be wild." Several rallies are planned for Wednesday, including one outside the U.S. Congress. The White House has not provided details on when or where Trump might appear.

 

Trump falsely claims that Biden won the election through massive vote-rigging, even though dozens of state and federal court rulings, state election officials of both parties, and the U.S. Justice Department have found no major fraud.

 

Congress is constitutionally mandated to certify the presidential election results on Wednesday, in what would normally be a formality overseen by Vice President Mike Pence.

 

But at least 12 Republican senators and some 140 Republican House of Representatives members pledged to vote against certification of Biden’s win, citing Trump’s election fraud allegations.

 

Their move will not change the outcome, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, told the news conference. "Our Constitution will endure. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be the president and the vice president of the United States" when they are inaugurated on Jan. 20.

 

Bowser urged residents to stay out of the city center, where boards hung during racial justice rallies last summer still cover office, restaurant and hotel windows.

 

The head of the Proud Boys pledged on social media that "record numbers" of members would attend, suggesting that they may dress in all black like antifa activists.

 

“We will be incognito and we will spread across downtown DC in smaller teams,” wrote Enrique Tarrio.

 

The Hotel Harrington and the attached Harry’s Bar, popular Proud Boys gathering spots during previous protests, will close on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

"While we cannot control what happens outside of the hotel, we are taking additional steps to protect the safety of our visitors, guests and employees,” the hotel said on its website.

 

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Heather Timmons and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-05

 

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The quality of Trump supporters is there for the world to see. Death threats to officials whose only crime was to preside over free and fair elections.

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-12-14/why-a-life-long-republican-took-on-trump-and-his-job-isnt-yet-done

 

IMO any Trump supporter found with a firearm at a rally should be arrested immediately, banned from any further participation, and fined $20,000.

 

Perhaps Trump can turn pardons into a sausage machine for said supporters. I would not put it past him.

Why would anybody bring a gun to a supposedly peaceful protest?

If they want to be peaceful they should leave their guns at home.

And if they even think they might need gun they should stay home.

But then, I don't expect much logic from Trump supporters.

Proud Boys leader arrested

Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio arrested in connection with burning of Black Lives Matter banner, D.C. police say - The Washington Post

 

That's a good start.

36 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Why would anybody bring a gun to a supposedly peaceful protest?

If they want to be peaceful they should leave their guns at home.

And if they even think they might need gun they should stay home.

But then, I don't expect much logic from Trump supporters.

These people don't want peace.  They want to drink and fight.  That's their motto.  And Trump encourages them.  Stand back and stand by.  What a horrible president.  And clueless followers.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Trump summoned supporters to this week’s gatherings, saying on Twitter on Sunday that "I will be there," and on Friday that "it will be wild."

Invoking insurrection ?

Armed and stupid.

And crybabies.

https://www.thewrap.com/crying-charlottesville-neo-nazi-leader-turns-himself-into-police/

 

 

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Proud Boys leader arrested

Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio arrested in connection with burning of Black Lives Matter banner, D.C. police say - The Washington Post

 

That's a good start.

 

It may be a good start, or it could infuriate the already aggressive knuckle-draggers that join such groups.

 

Nice though that the idiot, Tarrio, who broadcast his intention to use sleazy tactics to integrate hostile members of his group into the opposing protesters, was also found with restricted ammunition to make his arrest and possible absence from activities more legitimate.  

 

The Fifty States of America needs some serious help and healing. 

Mass protests and rallies.

 
That will help spread the new UK mutant covid strain. 
And will kill more than guns will. 

 

Trump has promised to show up, which will bring a big crowd. 
 

I assume most won’t be wearing masks.

 

Unfcknbelievable. 

 

 

But . . . but . . .

 

MUH FREEEEEEEEEDOM!

Leave your guns at home?

I have the right to protect myself.

5 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

Leave your guns at home?

I have the right to protect myself.

I know thats your right, to bring your gun to protect yourself, but for anyone who is brought up in Europe, it sounds insane and unbeliveable that anyone with common sense would bring weapons to a demostration. Deleted up big time

28 minutes ago, Tagged said:

I know thats your right, to bring your gun to protect yourself, but for anyone who is brought up in Europe, it sounds insane and unbeliveable that anyone with common sense would bring weapons to a demostration. Deleted up big time

 

Just to clarify, there are places in the USA where open carry of a firearm is legal.  Washington DC isn't one of them.

 

4 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Just to clarify, there are places in the USA where open carry of a firearm is legal.  Washington DC isn't one of them.

 

Luckily, a majority of Americas are for stronger gun controls.  Open carry is a great way for more gun deaths to occur.  Terrible, IMHO!!

I am wondering when Americans will realise the similarities of Trump and the Proud Boys with Hitler and the Brownshirts. It's quite alarming.

When you want to kill a snake, cut off its head.

14 minutes ago, impulse said:

Just to clarify, there are places in the USA where open carry of a firearm is legal.  Washington DC isn't one of them.

Quite clear:

 

Open Carry in Washington DC | Giffords

 

52 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

Leave your guns at home?

I have the right to protect myself.

In DC you don’t. 

58 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

Leave your guns at home?

I have the right to protect myself.

Yes, from someone with an identical thought ( if that's the right term ) in their head. Perhaps it has not occurred to you if neither of you had guns, the need for "protection" would not arise.

Some Americans will never learn.

1 hour ago, spiekerjozef said:

Leave your guns at home?

I have the right to protect myself.

From what, you afraid of the proud boys attacking you? Its a peaceful protest isnt it?

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

IMO any Trump supporter found with a firearm at a rally should be arrested immediately, banned from any further participation, and fined $20,000.

Why? I thought there was an amendment allowing carrying of guns.

21 minutes ago, J Town said:

Quite clear:

 

Open Carry in Washington DC | Giffords

 

So it's OK to carry one if not open? Surely they can't alter the amendments?

13 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Yes, from someone with an identical thought ( if that's the right term ) in their head. Perhaps it has not occurred to you if neither of you had guns, the need for "protection" would not arise.

Some Americans will never learn.

Sure not some but most, or the law would change.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Why? I thought there was an amendment allowing carrying of guns.

It's not an absolute right.

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

Sure not some but most, or the law would change.

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Sure not some but most, or the law would change.

 

 

Evidently you have not heard the aphorism of the tail wagging the dog, which is the same as what Republicans have been doing in America for decades.

the  Pen is mightier than the Sword, so what is DC worried about?

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

 

Evidently you have not heard the aphorism of the tail wagging the dog, which is the same as what Republicans have been doing in America for decades.

How is it evident I have not heard that? I have. 

2 minutes ago, tifino said:

the  Pen is mightier than the Sword, so what is DC worried about?

Take away guns from the police and issue them ballpoints?

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

I am wondering when Americans will realise the similarities of Trump and the Proud Boys with Hitler and the Brownshirts. It's quite alarming.

When you want to kill a snake, cut off its head.

Godwin's law, short for Godwin's law (or rule) of Nazi analogies, is an Internet adage asserting that "as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1".

 

38 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Take away guns from the police and issue them ballpoints?

That would give them a much needed attitude adjustment.(imo)

Poor proud boys can’t bring their guns guess they will have to find some other way to compensate for whatever it is they feel is inadequate about themselves and delighted to read their leader is in the can perhaps their buddy donald can issue a pardon