Youngkin to send National Guard to No Kings protests across the state this weekend
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the National Guard will be ready for state-wide protests on Saturday.
Protestors are planning to take to the streets on Saturday, Oct. 18 for No Kings Day II in Richmond, protesting against action taken by President Donald Trump and his administration.
There was a No Kings protest in Richmond in June that brought out thousands of people and stayed peaceful, but Governor Youngkin said he mobilized the Guard just in case.
No Kings protest on June 14, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Nikkita Tyler, 8News)
Democrat delegate Michael Jones, who represents District 77 in parts of Richmond and Chesterfield, said it's militaristic intimidation.
“That is the action of a king," Del. Jones said.
The governor said Virginia will protect free speech and peaceful assembly, but that there is zero tolerance for vandalism or disrupting traffic. He also said they’re coordinating closely with local, state and federal law enforcement along with protest organizers.
Jones believes bringing in federal law enforcement takes things too far.
“Let the Capitol Police handle it, which they do all the time. Let [the Richmond Police Department] handle it because they have in times past,” he said.
Capitol Police say it's a permitted event and are in contact with the organizers. The Richmond Police Department said it’ll be on site with Capitol and state police.
Like the protest in June, Del. Jones thinks Saturday's demonstration will be peaceful.
“We say, ‘we’re going to protest...' What does Glenn Youngkin say? ‘We’re going to send out military troops.’ And that is the wrong response," he said.
He said he was at the first No Kings protest and plans to attend this one.
The protest will start at 1 p.m. at the Capitol followed by a march to Monroe Park at 2 p.m.
The Richmond Police Department said it has also been in contact with the organizers and that "there is a possibility of traffic delays as a result of the demonstration. Organizers communicated to RPD that from approximately late morning to the early afternoon hours, the group of demonstrators plans to leave the grounds of Capitol Square and use sidewalks and possibly travel lanes of East Broad Street and West Broad Street to walk towards Belvidere Street. The group could then turn left onto Belvidere Street and re-assemble in Monroe Park."
Gov. Youngkin's full statement can be read below:
"With planned protests across the country this weekend, including in Virginia, the Governor reiterates that Virginians have fundamental rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, and will protect those. However, those rights do not include the destruction of property, looting, vandalism, disruption of traffic, or violence of any kind—for which there will be zero tolerance. We are coordinating closely with local, state and federal law enforcement and protest organizers. The Governor has authorized state active duty for training to help ensure the Guard will be ready to respond if needed to help keep people safe."
Capitol Police's full statement is as follows:
"The Capitol Police will have officers present around Capitol Square to ensure a safe and secure event. As this is a permitted event, we have been in contact with the Virginia Department of General Services and the organizers. We continue to coordinate with our local law enforcement partners to support public safety and facilitate the public's right to gather peacefully."
