Several pro-Trump and white nationalist groups have been promoting a rally in D.C. this Saturday in an effort to further Trump’s baseless claims about a stolen election.

From their online promotion and social media chatter, the events are focused on protesting President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, falsely claiming that Trump’s second term was stolen through fraudulent voting. Both Democratic and Republican election officials in dozens of states have found no evidence of voter fraud or other irregularities that influenced the outcome of the election.

It’s unclear how many people will actually turn up in D.C. for Saturday’s rally, given that protests associated with white nationalists have tended to have a limp turnout in the city, dwarfed in size by counter protests. (On Wednesday, a “Stop the Steal” demonstration outside of Fox’s D.C. office drew a crowd of four people, total.) While experts on extremism told Washingtonian they expect a decent turn out of MAGA supporters on Saturday (citing the potential of several different groups congregating over a heated election cycle) the Washington Post’s report on the planned rallies emphasized the history of failed right-wing demonstrations in the city. By Friday afternoon, a small group carrying Trump flags was gathering in front of the White House.

D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said this week they are aware of the events planned for this weekend and will be preparing as they did for Election Day demonstrations while continuing to monitor the discussions on social media. D.C.’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management System Agency Director Christopher Rodriguez said in a press conference on Thursday that the city is aware of approximately 12 different organizations planning demonstrations in D.C., but that most of these groups are small in number.

Here’s what we know so far. This post will be updated with more information as it becomes available.

Who is protesting?

A slew of pro-Trump groups are posting online about an event in D.C. on Saturday, and the rally appears to go by several different names: the Million MAGA March, the March for Trump, or Stop the Steal DC. The Facebook page for Women for America First, a protest group that has held anti-impeachment and anti-lockdown demonstrations, originally spread “March for Trump” information online, according to Politico. The organization’s event page states that they created another page for the rally named Stop the Steal, which was promptly shut down by Facebook.

Some prominent conservative figures like Nicholas Fuentes, a white nationalist, have promoted Saturday’s rally, and Infowars’ Alex Jones is supposedly organizing a “Stop the Steal” caravan that’s set to make its way to D.C. on Friday night ahead of Saturday’s rally. A local group, Maryland Grassroots Republicans, is also planning to bring members into the city on Saturday.

Other extremist and white supremacist organizations have posted about the rally online. The Oath Keepers, described the Southern Poverty Law Center as a radical anti government group, has listed the event on its website as well as promoted the Stop the Steal caravan. The Anti-Defamation League is tracking a list of extremist figures or groups who have expressed intent on appearing in D.C. or promoted the events.

D.C. prohibits openly carrying firearms. It is only legal to carry a firearm outside of the home with a concealed-carry permit from the city, but D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told NBC 4 on Thursday that concealed-carry will still be prohibited in the places where demonstrations will be taking place. He added that the restricted areas will be clearly marked.

Where and when are the demonstrations taking place? 

On Friday, the National Park Service has issued a permit for 10,000 people in Freedom Plaza. According to NPS spokesperson Mike Litterst, Women for America First originally requested a permit for 50 people. Following a meeting between the organization and NPS on Tuesday, Litterst said Women for America First increased the number of attendees on their permit to “more accurately reflect the size and scope of their event.”

Bethel Campus Fellowship, a Maryland-based Christian group for young people, has also requested a permit for Saturday. The application expects 500 people near the Ellipse for a “Proclaim Freedom Crusade” to “encounter Jesus and experience FREEDOM like never before.” It’s unclear if this event is linked to the MAGA demonstrations. (A pro-life group has also submitted a request for a 250-person prayer event on Sunday in Lafayette Park. )

According to the various social media pages set up for Saturday’s rally, the activity is set to start in Freedom Plaza at 12 p.m., and continue with a march to the Supreme Court around 2 p.m.

The maximum capacity of Freedom Plaza is 13,900 per the National Park Service estimates, as Washingtonian pointed out. 

Are there counter protests? 

Yes, and if history is any indication, it’s likely that counter protests could draw larger crowds than any MAGA rally in D.C. In July 2019, a “Demand Free Speech Freedom Rally” in Freedom Plaza (which drew prominent figures like conservative pundit Milo Yiannopoulos and Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes) was met with a bevy of anti-Trump groups in counter protest. A similar scene played out on the National Mall during Fourth of July celebrations this summer.

A list of planned counter protests:

• They/Them Collective has planned a “F*ck MAGA” counter protest on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Supreme Court.
• All Out D.C., a collective of anti-fascist activist groups in D.C., has also promoted a counter protest for 12 p.m., beginning near Union Station.
• Refuse Fascism has a counter protest planned for 11 a.m. at Freedom Plaza.

Will there be street closures? 

Yes. D.C. police released a list of more than 30 streets downtown that will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Saturday. Several streets in the area will also be closed to street parking starting at 2 p.m. on Friday until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

Has President Trump said anything?

Yes. There are similar rallies planned nationwide on Saturday, and on Friday, Trump tweeted that the support was “heartwarming,” adding that he may “even try to stop by” the event in D.C., while also repeating one of his “rigged election” claims. (The tweet has been flagged by Twitter for misinformation about the election.)

Social Media Monitoring 

Several tech firms have taken steps to stifle protests in D.C. and around the country in support of the baseless claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent.

Facebook has been deactivating pages linked to “Stop the Steal,” prompting cries of censorship from groups trying to organize the D.C. event.

An Eventbrite listing for D.C.’s rally was also cancelled, according to activists.

A spokesperson for Eventbrite confirmed in an email to DCist/WAMU that the company had removed the march from its platform, adding, “We prohibit any events, content, or creators that share or promote potentially harmful misinformation and/or contribute to the risk of violence or physical harm. We notified the creator that we removed the event from our platform and are refunding ticket holders.”

And Airbnb says it canceled the reservation of a person who had planned to attend Saturday’s rally, claiming “anyone affiliated with hate groups has no place” on its platform. In a tweet Wednesday, Airbnb said it also banned the user.

Airbnb declined further comment to DCist.