Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested Monday evening as he was being driven from a D.C. area airport for allegedly burning a stolen Black Lives Matter banner taken from a historic Black Washington, D.C. church last month after a day of pro-Trump rallies. Tarrio admitted to burning the banner in an online post and in several media interviews at the time.
UPDATE: The Washington Post reports Tarrio was also charged with possessing two gun magazines.
New York Times confirms, “A spokesman for the DC Police Dept confirmed Tarrio’s arrest on charges of destruction of property and added that upon his arrest he was in possession of two high-capacity firearm magazines and was charged accordingly.”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has called out the National Guard for the pro-Trump Stop the Steal rallies scheduled to take place in the nation’s capital Tuesday and Wednesday. D.C.’s acting Chief of Police Robert J. Contee III warned protesters that the city’s strict gun laws will be enforced as it is against the law in D.C. to exercise one’s Second Amendment rights while exercising one’s First Amendment rights. Contee ordered posters put up in the protest areas reminding visitors of the city’s carry prohibitions.
Bowser is also urging Washingtonians and people in surrounding areas to stay away from D.C. during the rallies. Rumors have been spreading that Bowser is shutting down hotels and pther businesses for the rallies but that is not true. The Hotel Harrington decided to close for the rallies after getting pressure for allowing the Proud Boys to congregate there. Indoor dining in D.C. is closed due to COVID lockdowns. Street parking will be greatly restricted in the protest areas.
Bowser’s instructions for the National Guard state they are to be unarmed and not engage in “domestic surveillance, searches or seizures of US persons.” The Guard is reportedly being called out to help with traffic and crowd management in support of law enforcement.
Bowser: “I am asking Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with demonstrators who come to our city seeking confrontation, and we will do what we must to ensure all who attend remain peaceful.”
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