Local, state, and federal police are prepared to handle the crowds on Friday for the Trump rally and for the multiple protests that are expected. Richmond Police Chief Alfred Dunham has made it clear the police will not tolerate those who break the law, he said the police would
“extend every right, every courtesy, but if you break the law, you will be arrested.”
“We refuse to let anybody come here and tear our city up.”
Coliseum doors will open at 5:00pm for the 8:00pm Trump rally. The Secret Service will be scanning each person. Only those with tickets will be allowed inside. Tickets can be acquired here. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch,
The Secret Service will scan all attendees with magnetometers at the door of the Richmond Coliseum. Attendees are prohibited from bringing signs that have sticks, banners, bags, backpacks, food, drinks, weapons or anything that can be construed as weapons, according to Richmond police as relayed by the Secret Service.
Two protests are planned outside the coliseum. One group will be meeting at Monroe Park 7:00. They want people to wear black and “come ready to film and take photos.” The second group is the Constitutional Party of Virginia who want a peaceful protest, “all conservatives who are #NEVERTRUMP to PEACEFULLY PROTEST Donald Trump’s rally”. They believe that the liberal protesters are helping Trump with their acts of violence.
At a press conference Chief Durham said,
“With that being said, I want to be perfectly clear that we will not allow or tolerate any types of illegal behavior at this event. Police personnel will take swift action and make arrests if they witness any unlawful acts.”
“You can get your point across and be civil about it,”
“I’m asking that all in attendance to put forth our best efforts to ensure this a peaceful event,” he said. “It’s a shared responsibility.”
