RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia State Capitol Police shutdown Capitol Square in Richmond for approximately two hours Friday afternoon.
The shutdown coincided with a protest rally aimed at convincing Governor Northam to reopen Virginia businesses and roll back the state’s COVID19 restrictions.
Members of groups with names like “MAGA Mayday” and “Rolling Rally for Freedom” carried signs, flags, and guns during the early afternoon rally.
Argument going on between Capitol Police and the group over whether they can have an American flag on the steps and how can they gather without violating social distancing guidelines. pic.twitter.com/jIXEcMGkty
— Cam Thompson (@CamThompsonCBS6) May 1, 2020
Capitol Police moved amongst the crowd asking people to follow social distancing guidelines.
At about 1:30 p.m., Capitol Police put out an alert that they temporarily closed Capitol Square for a “Law Enforcement situation.” Capitol Square was reopened at about 3:20 p.m.
