Speaker backs out of controversial veteran event in Norfolk citing 'manufactured violence'

NORFOLK, Va. — There's a new development in a controversial event happening in Norfolk June 6-8.

A man invited to speak, and whose views have created a lot of concern on social media, says he is not coming to the event.

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“They are talking about showing up to rallies with body armor and automatic weapons. When you mix that with hate speech, this starts to become very dangerous," said Norfolk resident Erik Leach.

Leach is referring to posts on social media by people whose antisemitic and white nationalist rhetoric is similar to views expressed by some of the people invited to speak at the Liberty Veterans Associatio