RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Tonight's Slave Trail Walk canceled: Tomorrow: Great-great Granddaughter of Dred Scott to speak
Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission holding 2013 Richmond Juneteenth Celebration event: All invited and encouraged to attend
WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) -- The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, in partnership with Hope in the Cities, is holding 2013 Richmond Juneteenth Celebration event. A Richmond Slave Trail Walk, previously scheduled for tonight, has been canceled. The ceremony, scheduled for tomorrow is still being held.
The ceremony will include a talk by the Great-great granddaughter of Mr. Sam "Dred" Scott, Ms. Lynne M. Jackson. Ms. Jackson is the President and Founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation. The ceremony is free and open to the public
The 2013 Richmond Juneteenth Celebration events mark the 20th anniversary of the first Richmond Unity Walk that was held in Richmond in 1993.
WHEN/ CANCELED: Richmond Slave Trail Walk
WHERE Tuesday, June 18, 2013; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Map
Juneteenth Ceremony
Wednesday, June 19, 2013; 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Virginia Union University - Coburn Hall
Richmond, Virginia
Directions: http://www.vuu.edu/about_vuu/campus_directions.aspx
WHO The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission; Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates - 70th Voter District
CONTACT For more information, please contact: Mr. Keith Westbrook, Legislative Assistant for The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond Slave Trail Commission (Member, Virginia House of Delegates -70th Voter District) at 804.698.1070 (tel), or deldmcquinn@house.virginia.gov (email)
Background ____________________________________________________________________________
Ending of slavery in the United States of America
The institution of slavery was officially abolished in the United States of America on December 18, 1865 through the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States of America Constitution. Approved by the United States Congress on January 31, 1865, the Amendment was signed and approved by President Abraham Lincoln on February 1, 1865 and was sent to state legislatures for ratification (which was accomplished on December 18, 1865). A precursor to the Constitutional Amendment was the Emancipation Proclamation, an Executive Order signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, which proclaimed the freedom of people living in slavery in the 10 states, then in rebellion against the United States of America.
Mr. Dred Scott
Mr. Dred Scott was a litigant in the historic Dred Scott v. Sanford legal case of 1857, in which Mr. Scott unsuccessfully sued for the freedom (from enslavement) of himself, his wife and their two daughters. The case was heard by the United States of America Supreme Court and its decision aroused public outrage in the years leading up to U.S. Civil War (April 1861-April 1865). This case has become known as the "Dred Scott Decision."
Juneteenth
Juneteenth is an annual observance held in commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States of America. The term "Juneteenth" is reported to have been created sometime in the 20th century in connection with the dates of June 18, and 19, 1865 when U.S. federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of enslaved people. The state of Texas was the first official entity to recognize the Juneteenth observance, on January 1, 1980.
13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America
Amendment XIII
Section 1.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission
One of Richmond City Council's more than 55 official boards, task forces and commissions that it has created and that assists with providing oversight of certain projects and priorities, the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is a government entity of Richmond City Council that was established by Resolution Number 98-R 102-107, adopted July 13, 1998, as amended by Resolution No. 2000-R111-109, adopted July 24, 2000, as amended by Resolution No. 2003-R132-123, adopted July 14, 2003, as amended by Resolution No. 2003-R155-141, adopted September 8, 2003, as amended by Resolution No. 2004-R125-131, adopted June 28, 2004.
The purpose of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is to assist Council with oversight and assistance in helping to preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond.
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Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
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MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
