Come to City Council to Support the Removal of Confederate Statues

Monday, September 25th 2017, from 6-9pm, at Richmond City Hall (900 East Broad Street, Richmond VA), Richmond City Council member Michael Jones (9th district) will introduce a resolution putting the City Council on record as supporting the removal of Monument Avenue's five Confederate statues. The Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality are promoting the slogan "Take down the Confederate Statues & Build the Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park!"

For more info and to RSVP, see the link.

Remembering Gabriel's Rebellion

Wednesday, August 30th 2017, from 8:30-9:30pm, at Richmond's African Burial Ground (Broad and 16th Streets, Richmond VA), the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality are holding a commemoration to mark the 217th anniversary of Gabriel's Rebellion. From the event description:

"This is a reflective event - an opportunity to remember and honor those who fought against slavery and Jim Crow and who still fight against white supremacy, racism, fascism and war. Remember those who have stood for love, justice, equality and a future in which we all can thrive. Remember those who stand and speak, who dance and shout for a future full of love, justice, equality, peace and strength at home and abroad. Remember those who have given their lives’ work or their very lives for these ideals. Remember those who had no idea they'd have to. And let us take inspiration from their example as we rededicate ourselves to those same ideals."

Bring a yellow flower (real, artificial or handmade) to place at the large stones attached to the historic markers on the Burial Ground. Bring red flowers to honor the spirit of resistance.

For more info and to RSVP, see the link.

Fundraiser for the Virginia Defender, the only statewide progressive newspaper

The Virginia Defender, the all-volunteer community newspaper published by my organization, the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, is holding a fundraiser! As is always the case, none of the money goes to an individual: we're all donating our time and talents to put news and analysis out there. The money goes straight to the printer. Our Autumn 2017 issue is going to focus on the history of Richmond's confederate monuments (which we've been calling to take down since 2006) and the history of Shockoe Bottom, once the center of the domestic slave trade.

We were there in Charlottesville last Saturday, and you can read our report, with pics and video, at our website (defendersfje.blogspot.com/).

To donate, see this link.

Stand Up! Speak Out! On the future of Shockoe Bottom!

Tomorrow, Wednesday July 12th 2017, from 5:30-8pm on the second floor of the Bon Secours Football Training Center (2401 West Leigh Street, Richmond VA), a company hired by the city, SmithGroupJJR, is holding a public hearing on plans to memorialize slavery-related sites in the city.

Currently, there are two plans, both pertaining to Shockoe Bottom. The city plan would preserve the Lumpkin's Jail site, a small plot of land. A community plan calls for a 9-acre Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park, which would include the Lumpkin's site, the African Burial Ground, and two additional blocks which were the site of several additional slave jails and trader's offices.

For more information and to RSVP, see this link.

Fight for 15 and the Movement for Black Lives: April 4th Day of Action

Tuesday, April 4th 2017, Raise Up: the Fight for 15 and the Movement for Black Lives are holding a joint national day of protest to demonstrate for racial and economic justice. This day will mark the 49th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. by James Earl Ray. 

In Richmond, VA Raise Up will be holding a Speak Out and March for MLK's Legacy. The event will run from 5-7pm, at Great Ship Lock Park (located at the intersection of Shockoe Bottom's Dock Street and Pear Street). The event will feature speeches from low wage workers fighting for a $15/hr minimum wage and a union, state legislators, free food, and more. Family friendly. 

For more info and to RSVP to the Richmond event, see this link. 

Similar events will be held nationwide. To learn about a protest planned near you, see this link and fill out the contact form. 

Support the Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park at City Council

Monday, March 13th 2017, from 6-7pm, at City Hall (900 East Broad Street, Richmond VA), the Sacred Ground Project of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality will be presenting a statement on the Community Proposal for a Nine-Acre Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park to city council. Immediately after the public comment period, there will be a community meeting, to discuss the next steps for moving the plan forward. 

Shockoe Bottom was once the hub of the domestic slave trade, but this history has gone largely unaddressed here in the former capitol of the Confederacy. Coming out of the successful 2011 struggle to reclaim the African Burial Ground from beneath a VCU parking lot, the community effort to preserve Shockoe Bottom's Black history has produced a plan for a memorial park. To hear about it, attend the council meeting, or check out the link below. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. If you're not able to attend yourself, please invite your friends. 

Showing of "Meet Me in the Bottom: the Struggle to Reclaim Richmond's African Burial Ground": the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality

This Friday, November 11th, from 5-7pm, in room 1030J on the first floor of West Grace North Student Housing (830 West Grace Street, Richmond VA), the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality are holding a showing of the documentary “Meet Me in the Bottom: the Struggle to Reclaim Richmond’s African Burial Ground.” This award-winning film, directed by VCU’s own Dr. Shawn Utsey, tells the story of the 9-year community struggle to recover Richmond’s African Burial Ground, covered by a VCU parking lot until 2011. 

The film (40 minutes) will be introduced by Ana Edwards of the Defenders’ Sacred Ground Reclamation Project, who will fill us in on the ongoing fight to memorialize what was once the hub of the domestic slave trade. Though reclaiming the Burial Ground in 2011 was a great victory, the work to establish Shockoe Bottom as an international site of conscience isn’t over yet. Ana will talk about the ongoing work, and ways to get involved.

The event is free, and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The venue is wheelchair accessible. For more info and to RSVP, see the Facebook event page here. 

Ana Edwards and Phil Wilayto of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality: "Save sacred ground for the future."

Check it out- Ana Edwards and Phil Wilayto, of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, wrote a piece for the Richmond Free Press on the need to memorialize the sacred ground in Shockoe Bottom. A good read, which you can find here.

If you have not yet signed on endorsing the Community Proposal for a 9-acre Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park, you can do so here. 

Ajamu Baraka to announce support for Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park

This Monday, October 3rd 2016, from 5-5:30pm, at Richmond’s African Burial Ground (East Broad and 16th Street, Richmond VA), the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality are holding a press conference. Ajamu Baraka, Green Party nominee for Vice President, will be appearing to announce his support for the Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park proposal.

For more information and to RSVP, see the link.