A long-shot proposal for Virginia counties to secede and become part of neighboring West Virginia gained momentum after conservative leader and Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. endorsed it this week.
The proposal by grassroots conservative activists, dubbed “Vexit,” calls for redrawing the border of Virginia, whose legislature recently flipped to Democrats, allowing some of the Old Dominion’s westernmost and most conservative localities to join West Virginia.
The plan, which has been openly mocked by Democratic lawmakers in Virginia, surfaced as conservatives became dismayed by a raft of left-wing policy proposals. In particular, they are alarmed that stronger gun control rules, including a ban on so-called assault weapons, have gained traction in Virginia’s General Assembly.
Opposition to the proposals is strong at the local level. More than 100 Virginia communities have recently adopted measures declaring support for the Second Amendment or promising noncompliance with gun-control measures they say violate the U.S. Constitution.
On Jan. 13, the West Virginia Senate adopted a resolution reminding residents of Frederick County, Virginia, that the county has a standing invitation from 1862 to join West Virginia.
Gun-rights activists in Virginia are taking the invitation seriously, saying Americans’ civil rights are in jeopardy in Virginia. Pending bills there would shutter shooting ranges. One proposal from Democrat Dan Helmer of Virginia’s House of Delegates would prohibit indoor shooting ranges at offices housing more than 50 employees, which apparently would include a popular shooting range at the Fairfax headquarters of the National Rifle Association.
Meanwhile, on Jan. 27, Falwell and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Democrat who became a Republican in 2017, held a press conference at a community college in the Mountain State to express support for the “Vexit” plan.
“What’s happening in Virginia right now is a tragedy in the making,” Falwell said, according to a copy of his remarks obtained by The Epoch Times.
“Democrat leaders in Richmond, through their elitism and radicalism, have left a nearly unrecognizable state in their wake ... and they are using their power to strip away the God-given rights held by every person in the state, despite their due protections under the U.S. Constitution.”
“The Democrats are anti-life, anti-Second Amendment, anti-liberty, and even anti-business with their oppressive environmental regulations,” he said.
“The palpable yearning in Virginia for a pathway to greater freedom with our family in West Virginia grows greater by the day. Petitions are already circulating and one group has dubbed the movement VEXIT!”
“I don’t really want to meddle nor will I meddle with what’s going on in Virginia, but if you’re unhappy with where you’re at, and West Virginia is going like West Virginia is going, we want you to come,” Justice said.
He added that his state stands with President Donald Trump, who has campaigned on protecting Second Amendment rights.
“Vexit” received mixed reactions from Virginia residents contacted by The Epoch Times.
A Republican strategist who didn’t wish to be named said the proposal would help Virginians who leave for West Virginia, but would have the effect of weakening the Republican Party in Virginia by making the state even more Democratic.
“It’s a tempting proposal. It would be very nice to have a conservative-values state,” she said.
Maria Simpson, a longtime Democratic operative, dismissed the proposal.
“The conservative reaction to the changing demographics of Virginia is literally to break up the Commonwealth, instead of addressing the real challenges and demands of our core constituencies,” Simpson said.
“Falwell’s and Governor Justice’s support makes no sense as this idea is literally the opposite of governing the citizens who elected these representatives. As Virginians, Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University could begin this process themselves of ‘seceding’ to West Virginia or any other state that will accept them.”
