Some came carrying signs, others carrying guns, but they all came with causes.
Hundreds descended on the state Capitol today for the General Assembly's Lobby Day, an annual opportunity for Virginians to make their voices heard as legislators settle in for the session.
A crowd of about 200 kicked things off with a rally for people with disabilities put together by the Coalition for Virginians with Mental Disabilities. Legislators and volunteers took turns advocating for continued funding to provide medication, transportation and awareness.
Senate Democratic Leader Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, urged those in attendance to come back to lobby throughout the session, calling Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposed two-year budget "not very friendly."
"It's reduced the Medicaid eligibility from 300 percent down to 250, which essentially takes 4,500 people out of Medicaid eligibility," Saslaw said.
Michelle Carter, who is mentally disabled and receives Medicaid payments, came from Gloucester County with a sign that read: "Don't cut our benefits."
"I'm worried about the mental-health support being cut back," she said. "That's why I came here today."
The rally by mental-health advocates was followed by a pro-gun rally sponsored by the Virginia Citizens Defense league.
A substantial majority of the 200 or so attendees appeared to be carrying weapons -- some concealed, some as open as the blaze orange "Guns Save Lives" stickers that were affixed to their winter coats.
"We're not criminals -- we're the good guys," speaker Dennis O'Connor told the crowd, which also heard from Jamie Radtke, one of five Republicans seeking the party's U.S. Senate nomination.
The highlight of the rally was a raffle for a .50-caliber rifle.
Others scheduled to rally at the Capitol this afternoon include a group that seeks to prevent gun violence and a coalition of progressive political groups.
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