Wednesday, May 13, Jake Lang, a far-right pro-President Donald Trump influencer and provocateur, held a rally in Colonial Williamsburg. Lang has been pardoned by Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol.
Days before arriving in Williamsburg, Va., Lang garnered controversy in Michigan for his attempts to burn Qurans near prominent mosques in the state.
In a livestream video posted on YouTube, Lang said that his reason for coming to Williamsburg was to protest gun control measures signed recently by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger D.P.S. ’26.
“Look at old historic Williamsburg,” he said. “If they can take our gun rights away in Virginia, [in] every other southern state, [it] soon will become illegal to exercise your Second Amendment rights.”
Lang, openly carrying an assault weapon, situated himself in front of the Lululemon on West Duke of Gloucester Street with a microphone.
He repeatedly referenced the antisemitic “Great Replacement Theory,” arguing that guns are necessary to protect against immigrant communities.
“Our daughters are going unprotected as hordes of migrants roam the streets looking for vulnerable people,” he said. “That is why you must carry your Second Amendment wherever you go, because you can never relax around the invaders.”
Guy Reffitt, also pardoned by Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, stood next to Lang and called on individuals to organize against Virginia implementing new gun control measures.
“We will not abide, obey or recognize any unconstitutional law, regulation or executive order that seeks to disarm, disband or criminalize the formation and operation of these peaceable citizen militias,” he said.
Lang said that he plans to come back to Williamsburg July 1, when many of the new state gun laws will go into effect.
“If they could take Virginia’s gun rights on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, where will these people stop?” he said. “If you’re Christian, or you are white, you will be placed as a second-class citizen, abused and oppressed.”
Lang was confronted by a bystander who called him a pedophile, referencing an online sting operation that caught him messaging a 15-year-old girl. Reffitt pulled out a can of pepper spray when the bystander approached Lang. Lang then said the bystander was a “race traitor.”
“I am trying to ensure the future of white Christians in America because we are being attacked,” he said.
Another individual called on Lang to leave Williamsburg, while others continued yelling at him.
Williamsburg police intervened briefly and talked with Reffitt and one of the bystanders while Lang continued speaking.
Lang eventually left and was asked by a separate bystander how he could open carry in Virginia when he had felony charges pending in other states, such as Minnesota. He declined to comment.
The Flat Hat contacted the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and asked how Lang was able to openly carry an assault weapon on its property, given that its policy permits firearms only for law enforcement officers or certified security personnel. The organization did not address the question and referred inquiries to the Williamsburg Police Department.
The Williamsburg Police Department also did not address The Flat Hat’s request for an explanation on why Lang was able to openly carry an assault weapon in violation of Colonial Williamsburg policy.
“The situation concluded without incident, and no arrests were made,” Nicole Trifone, communications director for the City of Williamsburg, told The Flat Hat.
Delegate Jessica Anderson, who represents Colonial Williamsburg in the Virginia General Assembly, disavowed Lang.
“We are a very diverse and incredible community, and his bigotry, as well as his, in my opinion, ignorance on the topics he talks about, isn’t welcome here,” she said.
Anderson said that she believed Lang’s visit to Williamsburg was intended to garner online attention.
“This is more a grift than activism,” she added.
Anderson said that she thought Lang carrying an assault weapon was unnecessary and only designed to intimidate residents.
“It’s just disheartening to see that much hate on the streets in Williamsburg,” she said.
