Protests stalk home of top NRA lobbyist

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Protesters are targeting the northern Virginia home of the National Rifle Association’s top lobbyist, and they say their demonstrations will continue.

Court records show that in one case, the efforts have led to criminal charges. Patricia Hill of Lincoln, Neb., has been charged with misdemeanor destruction of property outside the home of NRA lobbyist Chris Cox.

Alexandria police spokesman Crystal Nosal said Friday that there were two incidents stretching to last fall.

A court hearing has been scheduled for May 21.

Protesters also conducted a confrontational but peaceful protest April 10 outside Cox’s home as well as his wife’s nearby decorating business.

Libby Locke, a lawyer for the Cox family, said the vandalism included spraying fake blood and defacing the home with stickers.

“The Cox family does not view these activities as a peaceable protest exercise,” Locke said in a statement. “These coordinated tactics have crossed the line of civility and human decency.”

Nosal said a city ordinance regulates protests outside private homes but that the commonwealth’s attorney is reviewing the law’s constitutionality.

Catherine Koebel of Roanoke, Va., and Amanda Gailey, a professor with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, stood outside Cox’s home with a sign reading “Chris Cox profits off dead kids.” They handed out fliers urging a consumer protest of his wife’s business.

Koebel said police were called to the protest twice but told Gailey and Koebel that they weren’t doing anything illegal.

Koebel said Courtney Cox, Chris Cox’s wife, grabbed a cellphone from her hand and threw it to the ground, injuring Koebel’s hand in the process. She said she is considering whether to press charges through a magistrate.

Locke said Courtney Cox denies causing any injury to Koebel.

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