2/14/19

Valentine's Day Update

Feb. 11 - Richmond City Council voted to approve changing the name of "The Boulevard" to "Arthur Ashe Boulevard." Of those who voiced an opinion about the resolution before the vote was taken, the overwhelming majority favored its passage. This was a low-hanging-fruit opportunity pushed by councilwoman Kimberley Gray in her own district, and could also be seen as a first response to the demands made by the Defenders for City Council to "Do Something" about the statues on Monument Avenue. Nothing has been done with those recommendations since the report was issued in July 2018.

Feb. 11 - The Sacred Ground Project endorsed the African American Burial Ground Network Act introduced to the House of Representatives at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. Sponsored by Congresswoman Alma Adams of South Carolina and Congressman Donald McEachin of Virginia. Download the fact sheet here.

Feb. 14 - Opening of Monument Avenue: General Demotion / General Devotion exhibition at The Valentine museum. Go see the 70 conceptual ideas that were the product of the competition conducted by VCU MOB and Storefront for Community Design. More info about the competition at www.monumentavenuedgd.com

Feb. 22 - Plan to attend No to War, NATO & Racism! U.S. Hands Off Venezuela! See details and RSVP at the Facebook event page. Sixty percent of all Venezuelans claim some African blood, and Afro-Venezuelan culture is acknowledged as an important component of national identity. 10-12 % are fully African. What is happening in Venezuela is part of the historical African Diaspora experience at play today. Please come for this discussion on the context behind what is happening in Venezuela and why we should care.