by It looks like the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (sic) is up to its old tricks. The only thing that has changed is the players involved. It used to be Ladd Everitt and now it seems it is Lori Haas.
Ms. Haas sent out a press release on Tuesday, June 8th, that cheered the nomination by Virginia Democrats of Terry McAuliffe for governor. She touted McAuliffe’s position on gun control.
Also included in her statement was this:
Now is not the time to go back. Virginia cannot afford to elect Glenn Youngkin and his outdated and harmful stance on gun violence. His willingness to say anything for a vote is deeply troubling, as we’ve already seen him cozying up to those with deep ties to those at the forefront of the insurrectionist movement, like Senator Amanda Chase and the domestic terror organization, the Virginia Citizens Defense League.
I am not a lawyer but calling any legitimate organization such as the Virginia Citizens Defense League a “domestic terror organization” sounds defamatory. I think it goes beyond legitimate and protected political speech.
The FBI has a definition of “domestic terrorism” that speaks to the issue.
Domestic terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.
Wearing an orange sticker that says “Guns Save Lives” is neither violent nor criminal. Neither is engaging in the political process and supporting a candidate such as Glenn Youngkin who believes in the Second Amendment.
If I were Phillip Van Cleave of VCDL, a letter from VCDL’s attorneys would be in the mail demanding a retraction of Ms. Haas’ statement along with an apology. If neither was forthcoming, then a lawsuit would be filed sooner than later.