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A 21-year-old man was arrested after police say he intentionally drove an SUV into a crowd of protesters in Culpeper, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon.
Joseph R. Checklick Jr. of was charged with reckless driving and is being held without bond at the Culpeper County Jail, according to the Culpeper Police Department (CPD). The incident occurred during a “No Kings” rally near James Madison Highway, where officials say he struck at least one person with his vehicle.
Police say Checklick intentionally accelerated into the crowd of protesters near James Madison Highway Saturday afternoon. The demonstration was organized by local Democratic groups as part of nationwide protests against the Trump administration’s policies.
Culpeper Democrats posted on Facebook, thanking the Culpeper Police Department for their “quick response and for keeping our protest safe.” The group reported significant attendance at their event, with organizers claiming more than 600 attendees across two locations – over 200 at their Main Street location and over 400 on James Madison Highway.
The “No Kings” demonstrations were designed to counter what organizers describe as an excessive military display in the nation’s capital. The protests took their name from their opposition to what they characterize as authoritarian tendencies in the current administration.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.