Extremist Rallies Planned Sept. 18 in Washington, D.C., Across the Country. Here’s What You Need to Know.

As you plan coverage for the September 18 “Justice for J6” rally in Washington D.C., it’s important to note that experts continue to be concerned about the rise of armed demonstrations across the country. The September 18 demonstration is part of a larger trend of far right mobilization around fear and conspiracy theories — events which are more dangerous when protesters are armed. On Saturday, satellite events are planned in North Carolina and Washington state to coincide with the Washington D.C. demonstration, along with other satellite events in a number of states on the following two weekends. Many of these are planned at state Capitol buildings. 

A recent Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) report shows that demonstrations which feature individuals carrying firearms are nearly six times as likely to turn violent or destructive compared to those without armed individuals or groups. The report tracks 560 armed demonstrations that took place across the United States between January 2020 and June 2021. 

The report also highlights that the majority of armed demonstrations have been motivated by far-right mobilization, just like the September 18 rally. In addition, the data also shows that there were over 100 armed demonstrations reported at capitol buildings and vote counting facilities across 25 states and Washington, DC. As conspiracy theorists convene demonstrations in the coming weeks to defend those arrested at the January 6 insurrection, which is the result of the “Stop the Steal” movement, it’s important to note that the “Stop the Steal” movement is responsible for more than 65 percent of the armed demonstrations at government facilities aimed at denying the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

Additional key findings of the report include:

• Armed demonstrations are more dangerous. While armed demonstrations account for less than 2% of the total number of demonstrations in the United States, they comprise nearly 10% of all violent or destructive demonstrations. Armed demonstrations are violent or destructive nearly 16% of the time, compared to less than 3% of the time for unarmed demonstrations.
• At least 560 armed demonstrations were reported across 44 states and Washington, D.C. between January 2020 and June 2021. 
• Nearly 97% of all armed demonstrations have taken place in public spaces, with at least 18% reported at government facilities, including over 100 armed demonstrations at capitol buildings and vote counting sites in 25 states and Washington, DC.
• The top states with armed demonstrations include Oregon (55), Texas (38), Washington (36), Pennsylvania (31), Kentucky (29), and Michigan (29) — many of which do not prohibit open carry of firearms. 
• Militia groups and militant social movements, like the Proud Boys and Three Percenters, were active in over 54% of all armed demonstrations. 
• At least 94 distinct groups have been identified at armed demonstrations. 84% of the groups involved in armed demonstrations were right-wing actors. The main group actors include the Boogaloo Boys and their affiliates, the Three Percenters and associated groups, the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers.

State and federal lawmakers can take action to make sure that demonstrations remain safe. Policymakers should change laws that enable people to show up to demonstrations armed in the first place including prohibiting open carry. Thankfully, some states are taking action. In Virginia and Washington state, state lawmakers passed legislation prohibiting the carrying of firearms within Capitol Square and the Capitol building, which have been the sites of large armed demonstrations.  

More on armed extremism is available here. To speak with an expert ahead of the September 18 rally, please don’t hesitate to reach out.