Richmond, Virginia officials are preparing for a Confederate "protest gathering" in the city, the first in the state since the Charlottesville clashes in August, according to the Washington Examiner.
The gathering will take place around Monument Avenue, which contains a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The group CSA II The New Confederate States of America is rallying on or in the area, according to the Examiner.
"This rally is a Heritage — Not Hate Rally and any hate will not be stood for by our side whatsoever," the group's Facebook page said.
The group is supporting the Robert E. Lee monument, and said it wants to protect it from "being taken down or destroyed."
The Examiner reported that police sent a memo to homeowners in the area, asking them to remove items from their yards that could be used as weapons.
"Take any item that can burned or be thrown out of your front or side yard (furniture may be left if heavy and chained, but no loose bricks, pots or urns, etc.)"
The police also asked for help in monitoring the rally, asking homeowners to "leave exterior lights on and any security cameras rolling," according to the Examiner.
Levar M. Stoney, Richmond's mayor, warned against violence at the rally in a tweet.
Richmond officials urged residents to sign up for an emergency alert app in case of danger, according to the Examiner.
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