Tonight, Richmond will recognize the 50th Anniversary of the1960 Richmond Two-Day Downtown Civil Rights Protest Marches and Sit-ins, members of the Richmond Police Department, and Read Across Richmond Day. The awards, written out below, will be presented during the Richmond City Council Formal Meeting Session.
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, 22 February 2010
Richmond City Council to recognize 50th Anniversary of 1960 Richmond Civil Rights Protest Marches and Sit-ins, Police Officers and Read Across Richmond Day
All Richmond residents invited and encouraged to attend
WHAT Tonight, Richmond will recognize the 50th Anniversary of the1960 Richmond Two-Day Downtown Civil Rights Protest Marches and Sit-ins, members of the Richmond Police Department, and Read Across Richmond Day. The awards, written out below, will be presented during the Richmond City Council Formal Meeting Session.
Of the many duties performed by Richmond City Council on behalf of the community, one of the most rewarding is the recognition and honoring of individuals, businesses and organizations who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others and help to make Richmond an even better place to live, work, learn, play, visit, and raise a family.
Recognizing and honoring those who provide resources, time, talent and energy on behalf of the Richmond community sets a standard for service to others; encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation; and, inspires others to action. It is for these reasons that Richmond City Council publicly recognizes individuals, families, groups, organizations, and businesses through the confirmation of awards during Formal Council meetings.
WHEN Monday, 22 February 2009
During Richmond City Council Awards and Presentations Ceremony held at the first part of Richmond City Council FORMAL MEETING
6:00 -8:30 p.m.
WHERE Richmond Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor
900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia
CONTACT For more information, please contact Steve Skinner, Richmond City Council, at 804.646.6052/937.1386 or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com
BACKGROUND _________________________________________________________________
The awards include:
Richmond City Council and Mayor Dwight Jones Official Recognition Award _________
50th Anniversary of the
1960 Richmond Two-Day Downtown Civil Rights Protest Marches and Sit-ins
The Honorable Dwight C. Jones, Mayor of Richmond, and The Honorable members of Richmond City Council, the governing legislative body of Richmond, do hereby unite
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together in solidarity and common purpose to publically commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1960 Richmond Two-Day Downtown Civil Rights Protest Marches and Sit-ins, held on February 20 and 22, 1960 in Richmond, Virginia.
Modeled after the successful civil rights work of Mohandas K. Gandhi in South Africa and India, the use of coordinated acts of protest and nonviolent civil disobedience were employed in United States of America (especially in the South) in response to prevalent racial discrimination and segregation practices. These organized acts of public dissent were designed to publically confront and change long-held social rules, laws and customs, which included denying people the use of same facilities and accommodations based on their race.
The organized Richmond protests included more than 200 African-American students from Virginia Union University, an historically black college, who marched from the campus to the downtown business district and cumulated with protesters exercising the use of “sit-in” tactics by visiting restaurants and lunch counters and refusing to leave until they were served. Originally scheduled for February 20, 1960, the protest was extended to a second day when establishments closed rather than serve them. On the second day, February 22, 1960, 34 of the protesters were arrested at the Thalhimers Department Store for their staged sit-ins at the downstairs lunch counter and upstairs Richmond Room restaurant and charged with trespassing. The resulting convictions of these students, who became know as the “Richmond 34”, were appealed through the legal process to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, in June 1963, ruled that trespass laws could not be used to further racial discrimination.
These acts led to additional protests and boycotts in Richmond and through these and many organized civil rights actions and court cases across the nation, new national laws were written to protect civil rights. These new laws included the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 that banned discrimination based on race, religion, color or national origin in employment and public accommodations; and, the U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965 that restored and protected voting rights for all U.S. citizens.
Therefore, The Honorable Dwight C. Jones, Mayor of Richmond, and The Honorable Members of Richmond City Council do officially commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1960 Richmond Two-Day Downtown Civil Rights Protest Marches and Sit-ins held on February 20 and 22, 1960 in Richmond, Virginia and brings this to the attention of our community that they may share in remembering these important events.
Richmond City Council Public Service Award _______________________________________
Capt. Steven R. Drew
Richmond Police Department
Richmond City Council does hereby officially recognize, celebrate and commend Capt. Steven R. Drew of the Richmond Police Department, for his ongoing public safety work on behalf of our Community.
Having earned a bachelors degree in social services that included education in law enforcement, corrections and psychological services, Capt. Drew attended the Richmond Police Academy and graduated in 1994. Since that time, Capt. Drew has dedicated 16-years to the protection and service of our families and neighborhoods as a member of the Richmond Police Department.
Capt. Drew’s many years of progressive police service include work as patrol
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officer, street level sergeant, tactical lieutenant, Commander of the Richmond Police Department Second Precinct, and, recent appointment as Captain of the Richmond Police Department Division of Major Crimes.
Known for his strength through kindness, hard work and ability to connect with people from all walks of life; his example is one that has helped the Richmond Police Department earn a well deserved reputation for dedication and service to our community.
The members of Richmond City Council are therefore proud to officially bestow the Richmond City Council Public Service Award on Capt. Steven R. Drew of the Richmond Police Department and thank him for his dedication to helping to make Richmond an even better and safer place to live, love, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
Richmond City Council Award of Official Recognition _____________________
Lt. Angela Greene
Richmond Police Department
Richmond City Council does hereby officially recognize and honor Lt. Angela Greene of the Richmond Police Department for her ongoing public safety work on behalf of our Community.
A member of the Richmond Police Department for eight years, since May 18, 2009, Lt. Greene has served as Officer In Charge of the Richmond Police Department Second Precinct Sector 212. As a member of the Richmond Police Department, Lt. Greene is recognized for her efforts in providing protection and service on behalf of our families and neighborhoods.
The members of Richmond City Council are therefore proud to officially recognize and bestow this Award of Official Recognition on Lt. Angela Greene of the Richmond Police Department for her ongoing public service and thanks her for helping to make Richmond an even better and safer place to live, love, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
Lt. Johnny McRoy
Richmond Police Department
Richmond City Council does hereby officially recognize and honor Lt. Johnny McRoy of the Richmond Police Department for his ongoing public safety work on behalf of our Community.
A member of the Richmond Police Department for nearly 13 years, since July 21, 2007, Lt. McRoy has served as Officer In Charge of the Richmond Police Department Second Precinct Sector 211. As a member of the Richmond Police Department, Lt. McRoy is recognized for his efforts in providing protection and service on behalf of our families and neighborhoods.
The members of Richmond City Council are therefore proud to officially recognize and bestow this Award of Official Recognition on Lt. Johnny McRoy of the Richmond Police Department for his ongoing public service and thanks him for helping to make Richmond an even better and safer place to live, love, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
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Richmond City Council Official Proclamation ________________________________________
Read Across Richmond Day
Whereas, On behalf of the citizens of Richmond, Richmond City Council does hereby officially recognize, confirm and promote the importance of reading for all children, youth and adults; and
Whereas, Reading is a foundation and critical component in preparing each of us for continued personal, academic and life-long success; and
Whereas, Crucial to reading success is positive adult involvement, promotion and reinforcement of good reading practices; leadership by example; and, the continued reading and learning of all adults; and
Whereas, Each year, on March 2, the National Education Association holds a national Read Across America celebration in recognition of the birthday of the renowned children’s book author Theodor Seuss Geisel, know by his pen name, Dr. Seuss; and
Whereas, The Read Across America event promotes reading and adult involvement in the education of our community’s students and calls on families to assure that every child is in a safe place reading together with a caring adult on March 2, 2010; and
Whereas, The year 2010 marks the 106th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s birthday and the13th consecutive year of the National Education Association celebrating this event;
Now, Therefore, in recognition of the National Education Association’s Read Across America celebration and in order to support the individuals and organizations working on behalf reading, which includes the National Education Association, Richmond Education Association, Communities in Schools of Richmond and Richmond Public Schools, Richmond City Council does hereby officially proclaim March 2, 2010 as Read Across Richmond Day and calls upon the entire Richmond community to join in this celebration and read.
OTHER BACKGROUND ___________________________________________________
Richmond City Council meetings
Richmond City Council holds an average of 12 official monthly public meetings to discuss, deliberate, and act on laws, budgeting and policy on behalf of the community. Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings, which include (but are not limited to) two Council Formal Meeting Sessions, two Council Informal Meetings Sessions, six Council Standing Committee meetings, and Public Hearings/Special Events/Commission meetings held on an as-needed basis.
Formal Council meetings
Richmond City Council Formal Meetings Sessions are typically held the second and forth Monday of each month, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. (With the exception of August, when no Formal meetings are held, and holidays). These meetings are held for deciding official Council action, which includes discussing, adopting, rejecting, and amending laws and approving the budget. Formal meetings include a time for pubic comment and are televised live on the local PBS station and are replayed in Richmond on Government Access Channel 17, beginning at Noon and 7:00 p.m. daily.
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