https://roanokepeoplespower.wordpress.c ... the-state/
A Joint Statement from the Virginia Left on Recent Gun Control Measures
“Under no pretext should arms and ammunition be surrendered; any attempt to disarm the workers must be frustrated, by force if necessary.” – Karl Marx
We, the undersigned, representing several groups of the anti-capitalist movement in Virginia, wish to make clear that we completely reject any attempt by the new Democrat majority state government to pass and enforce any new “gun control” laws. Liberals see the issue of guns and violence in abstraction. For them, taking away guns will end violence. However, as socialists, we understand that violence exists within the systems of exploitation and oppression inherent in the capitalist system. History shows us that these laws will do nothing to address the root causes of violence in our communities. They will, however, do a number of other things.
They will accelerate the process of disarming the working class and will intensify the monopoly on violence enjoyed by an oppressive capitalist state which does not, and cannot, represent us. Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who is funding the anti-gun group Moms Demand Action, admitted as much, boasting “I have my own army in the NYPD, which is the seventh biggest army in the world.” While militarized police and politicians (both liberal and conservative) in the United States target working people by likening them to a wartime enemy, they also add fuel to the fires of war abroad by selling tens of billions of dollars worth of arms to some of the most repressive regimes on earth. They promote “gun control” at home while people overseas are brutalized with guns, bombs, and tear gas canisters which read “Made in the USA.” The only control they are truly interested in is the control of the global working class.
They will give the police yet another way to incarcerate working people. Working people of color will be especially targeted, as seen with the 1967 NRA backed Mulford Act, while the wealthy, who have the resources to jump through as many hoops as necessary, will easily keep their guns. Much like the War on Drugs, the war on gun rights will fall heaviest on working people of color, the very group which cannot depend on the police for protection. It will serve as simply another way of funneling our brothers and sisters into prison. The fact that there has not been a single word on gun control for the police that regularly terrorize communities of color speaks volumes.
Moreover, we do not object to the strategic use of weapons. As revolutionaries we understand that defense against and destruction of oppression often requires the use of arms, just as the slave system was destroyed through the Union victory in the Civil War, the Nazis were defeated in WWII, and the capitalist state will only be replaced by a workers’ revolution. In short: the revolutionary Virginia Left is for gun control — the control of all guns by a militant and organized working class.
Signed:
ASH (Anti-Fascists of the Seven Hills) ~ facebook.com/AntifaSevenHills/
Communist League of Richmond ~ facebook.com/CommunistLeagueRichmond/
Disrupt the Elite Virginia ~ facebook.com/disruptVA
New Afrikan Independence Movement ~ facebook.com/vanaip
New River Workers Power ~ facebook.com/NRWorkersPower/
Roanoke Peoples’ Power Network ~ facebook.com/RoanokePeoplesPower/
Socialist Resurgence of the Shenandoah Valley ~ facebook.com/shenandoahvalleyreds
Tidewater Solidarity Collective ~ facebook.com/solidarity757/
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
277I guess everyone wants a spectacle? Police are in full Ferguson MO mode, far-right is in Charlottesville mode, the media will swarm the scene, and the left will get knocked around by the cops and the Nazis. The media will explain that guns are bad because of all this - except guns in the hands of police, of course.
It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
278Pretty much! And not a critical thought of what is actually at risk will be written or televised. Trump's a fucking fascist, quick, ban guns... Or something.K9s wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 12:07 am I guess everyone wants a spectacle? Police are in full Ferguson MO mode, far-right is in Charlottesville mode, the media will swarm the scene, and the left will get knocked around by the cops and the Nazis. The media will explain that guns are bad because of all this - except guns in the hands of police, of course.
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
279It all makes sense when you look up the net worth of any news anchor or pundit that tells you guns are bad because... XYZ. They have private security.featureless wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 12:11 amPretty much! And not a critical thought of what is actually at risk will be written or televised. Trump's a fucking fascist, quick, ban guns... Or something.K9s wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 12:07 am I guess everyone wants a spectacle? Police are in full Ferguson MO mode, far-right is in Charlottesville mode, the media will swarm the scene, and the left will get knocked around by the cops and the Nazis. The media will explain that guns are bad because of all this - except guns in the hands of police, of course.
It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
280Here's a guardian article about morons freaking out over lies, which I described earlier in this or another thread.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... 1579292999
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... 1579292999
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
281right wingers lie? how can that be?Marlene wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 9:33 pm Here's a guardian article about morons freaking out over lies, which I described earlier in this or another thread.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... 1579292999
i believe the rest of the thread can be summed up by "that escalated quickly" on both sides of the argument.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
282"Carter says he has been so concerned about the death threats that he has started openly carrying a handgun to protect himself."lurker wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 9:47 pmright wingers lie? how can that be?Marlene wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 9:33 pm Here's a guardian article about morons freaking out over lies, which I described earlier in this or another thread.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... 1579292999
i believe the rest of the thread can be summed up by "that escalated quickly" on both sides of the argument.
The legislation introduced by Lee Carter, a 32-year-old Bernie Sanders-endorsed socialist, would allow public school teachers to strike without being fired, and has in fact nothing to do with guns. But some gun rights activists wrongly interpreted it as an attempt to fire law enforcement officials who might refuse to comply with gun control laws introduced by Virginia’s new Democratic legislative majority.
It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
283The Socialist isn't anti-gun, while the Dems are. So of course the right-wing nutjobs go after the former Marine and not a Dem*. Like grandma used to say, "no brains, no headaches."
*Not suggesting they should go after anyone. Just sayin'.
*Not suggesting they should go after anyone. Just sayin'.
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
284A few right wing crazies with their conspiracies just feed into the anti-gun narrative that people can't be trusted with guns. I agree with Carter, teachers and public employees should have the right to strike.But when some gun rights activists read the bill, they claimed it meant something entirely different. Carter’s bill to allow teacher strikes was written into a broader narrative “that spread like wildfire within the conspiracy-minded parts of the right wing internet”, he said, claiming that the state’s Democratic governor was working to confiscate Virginians’ guns, and that his new legislation was designed “to fire cops who don’t confiscate guns”.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
286Happy Lobby Day, Freedom Protectors!
If a group is going to have a list of prohibited items, might as well have the all-encompassing catch-all finish.
https://www.wric.com/news/politics/capi ... lobby-day/
If a group is going to have a list of prohibited items, might as well have the all-encompassing catch-all finish.
https://www.wric.com/news/politics/capi ... lobby-day/
Nothing like a bunch of people kept in a confined area with no way to defend themselves. But...drones and laser pointers?Below is the list of prohibited items:
firearms
knives, scissors, needles, razors, and other bladed weapons
slingshots
spring sticks or batons
metal knuckles
blackjacks
nunchucks, chains, or other flailing weapons
throwing stars, knives, darts, or other throwing weapons
stun guns, tasers
sticks, poles, bats, baseballs, softballs, glass bottles
shields, helmets
toy guns and toy weapons
drones/sUAS, laser pointers
Caustic substances (pepper spray), aerosol containers
Hazardous materials, fireworks, torches, and open flames
other dangerous items or items that may be used as weapons
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
287Here's a live feed. Nothing's happening rowdy. Peaceful with chanting.
CDFingers
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
288Another live feed this by Ruptly, a German company owned by Russia Today (RT) a Russian government entity.
This must be outside the no weapons zone as there are armed individuals.
This must be outside the no weapons zone as there are armed individuals.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
289Media coverage stinks, as expected. Oddly, photos I've seen on the Twitter thing have some minorities at this "white supremacist" rally. I continue to hope for a peaceful day.
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
293Yes ! The attendees look very ordinary, no one in militia gear, didn't see any outlandish signs. Saw one guy wearing a balaklava and carrying an AR. Nice to see LEOs supporting 2A. The guy on CDFs link said it's windy in Richmond and the wind chill factor brought the temperature down to 23 degrees - burr !!!featureless wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:59 am Media coverage stinks, as expected. Oddly, photos I've seen on the Twitter thing have some minorities at this "white supremacist" rally. I continue to hope for a peaceful day.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
294Despite the reports and claims, this doesn't look like that big a demonstration. I was at far, far bigger anti-Vietnam War demonstrations in the late 60's and early 70's.
Even Trump's MEAGER inauguration crowd, looked to be far bigger...so far. Cold will do that.
Even Trump's MEAGER inauguration crowd, looked to be far bigger...so far. Cold will do that.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
295Northam denied the ability to centrally assemble on the capital grounds with fences and emergency orders, so yeah, it doesn't look that big because the right to assemble was largely denied and the crowds are channeled down side streets. Plus the air space is closed (fucking really?!) so little in the way of aerial photos. Unofficial reports are 120K with 10s of thousands that can't get there. No, not huge by anti-war standards, but respectable for a red-headed step child right.YankeeTarheel wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:29 am Despite the reports and claims, this doesn't look like that big a demonstration. I was at far, far bigger anti-Vietnam War demonstrations in the late 60's and early 70's.
Even Trump's MEAGER inauguration crowd, looked to be far bigger...so far. Cold will do that.
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
296There are a ton of armed people there from what I've seen. Fortunately, there are far more unarmed people there.highdesert wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:28 amYes ! The attendees look very ordinary, no one in militia gear, didn't see any outlandish signs. Saw one guy wearing a balaklava and carrying an AR. Nice to see LEOs supporting 2A. The guy on CDFs link said it's windy in Richmond and the wind chill factor brought the temperature down to 23 degrees - burr !!!featureless wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:59 am Media coverage stinks, as expected. Oddly, photos I've seen on the Twitter thing have some minorities at this "white supremacist" rally. I continue to hope for a peaceful day.
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
297A feed from Global News, apparently Canadian. If airspace is closed, the Canuks didn't get the memo - plenty of drone footage. Not a large protest so far.
Last edited by AndyH on Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
298Also, it's telling that the Russian newsfeed Highdesert posted above (Ruptly) is the most reliable. Youtube feeds are being removed quickly. Doesn't fit the narrative, I guess. Sorry for shotgun posting.
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
299Long lines to get through security checks. Finally saw photos of militia.
https://wtvr.com/2020/01/20/virginia-gu ... ly-photos/
https://wtvr.com/2020/01/20/virginia-gu ... ly-photos/
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Re: Impact of loss for firearm ownership in Virginia
300Small crowd in the capitol kettle from Canadian drone.