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Driving while Black
Judge asked to revisit ruling regarding RPD’s racial profiling
A recent court ruling declaring that the Richmond Police Department stops African-American drivers far more often than other demographics is being questioned by federal prosecutors.
Reflections about Roland ‘Duke’ Ealey
He ‘was very much a Richmond fixture and everybody who knew him respected him’
Jody Lynn Allen, a history professor and the Robert Francis Engs director of The Lemon Project at The College of William & Mary, is eager to learn what Mr. Ealey’s papers reveal about civil rights in regions outside of the Lower South.
Groups agree to disagree
Gun violence talks bear limited resolve
It may have been discouraging, but we’re not discouraged.’ — The Rev. Don Coleman
First day of early voting draws hundreds to city registrar’s new office
West Laburnum Avenue was buzzing with activity last Friday as roughly 700 people arrived throughout the day at the Rich- mond Voter Registrar’s Office to cast ballots on the first day of early voting in Virginia.
Corrections officers’ union calls for testing of all inmates and staff at Virginia facilities
A union representing state correctional officers is calling on Gov. Ralph S. Northam to immediately begin coronavirus testing for all officers, staff, residents and incarcerated people in facilities run by the Virginia Department of Corrections and the state Department of Juvenile Justice.
RRHA extends eviction freeze to Jan. 31
The Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority’s freeze on public housing evictions has been extended through Jan. 31.
RRHA extends eviction moratorium; halts CEO search
Just weeks before more than 1,500 of Richmond’s public housing residents were facing losing their homes, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has extended its eviction moratorium to September, but not beyond Oct. 31.
VCU, U.Va. and state's community colleges cancel spring commencement ceremonies
Spring commencement ceremonies have been canceled at many schools and universities across the nation, including Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia, all 23 community colleges in the state, at Morehouse College and Howard University, where a positive case of coronavirus was confirmed.
Dr. Fauci promotes COVID-19 vaccines on local Zoom call
“We want you all to get vaccinated for your own protection, for that of your family and for your community,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, who leads the nation’s health efforts to combat COVID-19, told a Zoom audience of about 10,000 people on a call with Richmond and Virginia health officials Jan. 8.
VLBC sees progress
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus announced progress in its legislative agenda in terms of voter rights, criminal justice, education, arrest and confinement, and more.
RRHA changes rankle residents, activists who are most impacted
Three months ago, 100 local residents and activists called on the Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority to bring more transparency, accessibility and accountability to the agency’s five-year plan for the city. Last week, those residents and activists faced new restrictions at a RRHA Board of Commissioners meeting that saw critical resolutions adopted, including the board’s 2019-20 budget and bonds for the redevelopment of 556 apartments, with little warning given to the community to be the most impacted by the decisions.
Four RPS schools in line for new names
Richmond School Board members will vote to confirm new names for four schools — Ginter Park Elementary, John B. Cary Elementary, Binford Middle and George Wythe High — later this month, after a meeting Monday evening at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Advocates see ending the death penalty as step toward addressing inequity
Virginia is on track to become the first Southern state to abolish the death penalty.
Advocates seek full decriminalization of marijuana
Around 30 people called for the full decriminalization of marijuana during a rally in Capitol Square last Saturday, challenging a Democrat-sponsored bill that they said would lead to continued disproportionate arrests of people of color.
Virginia adopts permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health standards
Social distancing, face masks, sanitation, infectious disease preparedness and response plans are now mandated for public and private workplaces in Virginia following Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s recent approval of permanent workplace safety and health standards.
Activists demand greater public accountability from Richmond Federal Reserve Bank
The streets of Richmond’s financial district echoed with calls for accountability last week as activists gathered outside the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond to call for better transparency and representation following a series of scandals among the nation’s banking leadership.
Curfew
City leaders respond to recent violence
The City of Richmond has instituted an 11 p.m. curfew for all juveniles as part of an early start to its Operation Safe Summer initiative.
Columbus and Wickham statues come down
Decrying police brutality and white supremacy, Richmond protesters have taken an active approach to removing symbols of oppression by pulling statues of Christopher Columbus and Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham from their pedestals in public parks.
Northams out of isolation
After spending 18 days in isolation following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Gov. Ralph S. Northam appeared for the first time in public, speak- ing at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon.
Black Voters Matter brings ‘Freedom Ride for Voting Rights’ to Richmond
Black Voters Matter brought its “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus caravan to Monroe Park last week, continuing the civil rights efforts of the first Freedom Riders 60 years ago and to push voting access and equity locally and nationally.
