Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has authorized the activation of the Virginia National Guard in advance of upcoming “No Kings” protests scheduled across the Commonwealth. https://www.wdbj7.com+1
The protests are intended as expressions of opposition to former President Donald Trump’s policies and are part of a larger, nationwide series of demonstrations. VPM+1
Purpose & Conditions for Deployment
Youngkin’s office issued a statement affirming that while citizens have the constitutional right to free speech and peaceful assembly, that right does not extend to violence, vandalism, looting, disruption of traffic, or other unlawful behavior — all of which would face zero tolerance under his administration. https://www.wdbj7.com+2VPM+2
He instructed coordination between state, local, and federal law enforcement, as well as protest organizers, to help maintain public order. https://www.wdbj7.com+1
Guard members will be placed on state active duty (i.e., activated by the state, not the federal government) for training and readiness, though no formal requests for their use had been submitted as of the latest reports. VPM
A Virginia National Guard spokesperson noted that the troops are being positioned carefully — including a “Quick Reaction Force” and “Ready Reaction Force” planned to stage outside Richmond — and may be deployed to incident sites if requested. VPM
Balancing Rights and Safety
Youngkin has stressed that Virginia must uphold both the right to protest and public safety. “If you break the law, you will be arrested,” he declared. CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR+2WSLS+2
The governor’s emphasis on enforcing boundaries of protest comes with the caveat that law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant yet fair, preserving peaceful demonstrations while deterring illegal conduct. https://www.wdbj7.com+1
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
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