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Rep. Eric Cantor(R - VA)
For many years Republican leaders in Virginia and their deep pocket contributors have been gathering annually at the Innsbrook "Snagajob" Pavilion in Henrico County, VA for the "Republican Roundup." The managers of Innsbrook's "Snagajob" Pavilion, out of step with most commercial establishments enforce a strict rule mandated by the Highwoods Corporation against gun carry. In 2005 the facility deployed Sheriffs deputies to escort the Philip Van Cleave, the President of the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), from the Republican Roundup.
That didn't sit well with VCDL leaders and gun owners, so for several years now they have been asking Representative Eric Cantor (R - VA) and his Republican handlers, like Lynnwood Cobb, Chairman of the 7th District Republican Committee, to hold their annual Roundup at a venue which respects gun rights consistent with the Virginia Republican party platform. But the Republicans have steadfastly refused to move the venue and what irks Van Cleave and gun owners the most is that "Cantor and his people miss the point and, in an unprincipled way, are letting an important right be trampled so that Cantor can hold his rally at the Innsbrook Snagajob Pavilion."
In response to the Republican snub, VCDL has organized the "Freedom Rally" immediately outside and surrounding the entire Roundup with hundreds of picketers carrying signs and chanting against Republican hypocrisy for selecting an anti-gun venue each year for the Roundup. Speakers and music are planned, along with some "surprise" events.
And thanks to the help of Innsbrook's original developer, Sidney Gunst, President of the Innsbrook Associates, and the owner of the Innsbrook Shoppes, much of the private land in the area will be
available to VCDL's Freedom Rally. Local shops are offering 1,000 free parking spaces and free drinks and snacks to freedom rally attendees.
Said Gunst to other rally planners, "we consider ourselves a freedom friendly mall, and at this point we have the Roundup surrounded."
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Comments
"Yes we can!" Opps wrong party. We are indeed planning the protest and progressing our cause. It is irony and hypocrisy all at the same time. I am not sure why this has become such a recalcitrant firebrand issue but with the media coverage we will get some much needed leverage, that being people requesting our elected officials and those that would like to be where we expect them to stand on certain issues.
Sad. At least I know where not to shop.
Yeah, Greg. We will. Go VCDL - a gun owners best friend here in VA.
Good luck. Stay the Course!
What is wrong with Beta.man Cantor? Great post by the DC Gun Rights Examiner...I'm impressed by the Examiner's and the VCDL's (a gun owners best friend) healthy discourse + action on our Constitution/BoRights issues, especially on the 2nd A and the right to carry! Keepup the good work!
For crying out loud, why cant the Republican party show some freakin' solidarity here? Just move the thing to a different location and avoid a lot of bad publicity! We're all on the same side here, and in the coming elections we can't afford to be a split party, we need to be as one. Kicking the dems out of office is hard enough as it is.
if there is any negative repercussions to the GOP from this freedom rally the blame will be wholly the result of the intransigent Cantor. Hopefully the party bosses will hold him accountable. The VCDL's defense of our rights should be viewed by the party's leaders as a wake up call that we are not automatically in the GOP's pocket on election day. Further, it must be understood by all that defending one's right to defend oneself is not a publicity stunt, but rather a proper and noble rebuttal to conceited bureaucrats.
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