Tensions rise as armed Boogaloo Boys gather near Black Panthers of Virginia rally

Pro-gun groups gathered in Virginia State capitol Richmond on Monday to mark Lobby Day also known as Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Around two dozen supporters of Black Lives Matter or the Black Panthers had started gathering about a block away.

Meanwhile, several armed men from the Boogaloo Boys, an extremist group whose members have become known for wearing Hawaiian shirts to events were caught on camera as they walked to the capitol.

About 22,000 armed protesters are expected to attend the mass protests, according to local police.

FBI warned of the potential violence that could break out across the country ahead of January 20.

Three of the states where authorities have sounded the alarm loudly are Oregon, Michigan, and Virginia.

An FBI office in the state of Virginia warned authorities of a potential "war" from extremist supporters of US President Donald Trump, one day before protesters converged on Washington, according to a report published last week.

The U.S police stated that the Black Lives Matter movement, while also using a derogatory name for Antifa, the far-left anti-fascist groups, as well as far-right groups, could hold protests in Virginia and Oregon on Monday.

Virginian State authorities took security precautions against threats of violence from extremist groups on the traditional day event where activists meet with state legislators to advocate for a wide range of policy changes.

Gun-rights activists - some armed with guns and dressed in camouflage gear - preparing for the rally to protest the state’s plan to pass gun control measures.

One of the armed men said “Violence is absolutely is not something we want to see,” as he carried a machine gun on his shoulder.

He also said the people need a militia group that cares about public interests.

Last year a peaceful gun rights rally took place on January 20, at the Virginia State Capitol. The rally was an extension of the Second Amendment sanctuary movement and was organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League. Fears of violence by neo-Nazis prompted the governor of Virginia to declare a state of emergency ahead of the event.

Virginia's Lobby Day is an annual event, held each year on Martin Luther King Day and initiated by the Virginia Citizens Defense League about 17 years ago.



From Brexit breaking news to HD movie trailers, The Sun newspaper brings you the latest news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world.

Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know

Read The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk
Like The Sun on Facebook:   / thesun  
Follow The Sun on Twitter:   / thesun  
Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat:   / 1633225139