Georgetown Law School Issues Emergency Bulletin Over Protecting Pride Events From Armed Extremist Ac

Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection of Georgetown has issued an emergency bulletin over protecting pride events from attacks. Published on May 19, the guidance is designed to help local organizers in the LGBTQ+ community address potential threats by unlawful private paramilitary groups during Pride Month, which aims to inform local organizers about the legal options they have to counter these threats and ensure the safety of event attendees. The guidance says that, given that these incidents have taken place in the past, it is possible that extremists armed with firearms or other weapons, and sometimes acting as private militias will attempt to target and interfere with upcoming Pride Month events, endangering LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. However, the LGBTQ+ community members and their allies inside and outside the government should understand what they can do to keep Pride Month safe by knowing that state laws prohibit private paramilitary activity, even where it does not involve physical violence against a targeted person or persons. All 50 states prohibit private, unauthorized militias from engaging in activities reserved for the official state militia, including law enforcement activities. Nearly every state constitution prohibits groups functioning outside the authority of the state government such as Paramilitary groups namely Proud Boys and Patriot Front. Georgetown law is saying they are acting like a military group in their organization and are therefore illegal by state laws including the laws adopted by Florida.