30 members of Congress make pilgrimage to civil rights sites
About a dozen Democrats and Republicans prayed and sang “Amazing Grace” during a solemn ceremony last Friday at the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated nearly 50 years ago. The ceremony marked the start of a three-day congressional “pilgrimage” to sites with ties to the Civil Rights Movement in the South.
Interfaith film misses Oscar, but raises hope in Kenya
It didn’t bring home an Oscar this week, but a film nominated for an Academy Award is spreading a message that many Africans said is too rarely heard — that people from different religious groups on the continent can be each other’s heroes.
Personality: Gwendolyn D. Douglas
Spotlight on president of American Business Women’s Association, Cavalier Chapter
For the 10th year, the Cavalier Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association is celebrating Women’s History Month with Hattitude RVA — “Hats Off to Women” Awards Luncheon, a salute to the accomplishments of area women.
City Council poised to revive Human Relations Commission
Richmond soon could have a new Human Relations Commission as a platform to hear and investigate residents’ complaints about bias, bigotry and discrimination in areas ranging from race and religion to gender orientation, disability and pregnancy.
City School Board reviewing Patrick Henry’s charter for renewal
Parents connected with the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts must wait another 10 days or so to learn whether their children’s elementary charter school will be open for the 2018-19 school year.
General Assembly approves city charter change for school modernization
By Jeremy M. Lazarus 40-0 in the state Senate.
Winners and losers
Mayor Levar M. Stoney offers details of his $1.42B, 2-year budget plan
High school students would be able ride GRTC buses without charge on an unlimited basis for a year. After-school programs for city youths would be expanded by enabling six city recreation centers to stay open longer and through support for programs offered by the YMCA, the YWCA and several other youth-serving groups.
Put Schools First offers $650M plan to modernize city schools
The volunteer Put Schools First committee is rolling out a plan that calls for spending $650 million to modernize all of Richmond’s public schools — with a goal of having 19 completed within seven years and the remaining buildings done within 12 years.
50 years and counting
Metropolitan Business League continues growing services, membership a half century after founding
Four days after Christmas, Floyd E. Miller II was in the Metropolitan Business League’s offices at 707 W. Main St. preparing for “a new year and new opportunities for new sources of funding” for the league through grants, foundations and fundraising events.
‘Never again’ to Washington NFL training camp expense
Re “Taxpayers on hook for $11.25M for NFL training camp,” Free Press Feb. 22-24 edition: For taxpayers to be on the hook for $11.25 million dollars for the Washington NFL team’s training camp is asinine. This type of taxpayer money never should have been spent while schools are crumbling and need fixing. With the meals tax going up to help our beloved schools in Richmond, this money could have been better used.
Similar themes in ‘Black Panther’ and Haitian documentary
Re “ ‘Black Panther’ pounces on box office,’ Free Press Feb. 22-24 edition: My family and I enjoyed the documentary “1804: The Hidden History of Haiti” hosted by the Elegba Folklore Society on Feb. 17. It was a great opportunity to learn about Haitian history. On Feb. 18, we saw the amazing “Black Panther” movie.
Nothing positive will be done’
President Trump urges ban on gun devices?
Redesign schools for safety
Like many others, your article about the mass shooting in Florida, included the words “gun tragedies” and “inaction” in the same story. Lawmakers are pondering decisions of gun control, while the lives of people are truly being affected for life.
Issue pink slips to lawmakers who vote against gun laws
Now is the time to discuss gun control and how to stop these murders. We should continue to have these discussions until it is resolved. We can’t forget about this one in Florida and go on until the next one. The real problem is access to guns. You can’t cover this with a bandage or blame it on anyone else, other than those who are responsible.
‘I pray that the students voices may be heard’
‘I pray that the students voices may be heard’ Re “Fla. school shooting survivors hoping to be catalyst for tougher gun laws,” Free Press Feb. 22-24 edition:
‘We need climate action, environmental justice’
As Americans came together in February to recognize the immense contributions made by African-Americans during Black History Month, it is important to talk about environmental justice because if we can’t breathe free, we can’t be free.
Courage, political will and gun control
“This is our first task, caring for our children. It’s our first job. If we don’t get that right, we don’t get anything right. That’s how, as a society, we will be judged. And by that measure, can we truly say, as a nation, that we’re meeting our obligations? Can we honestly say that we’re doing enough to keep our children, all of them, safe from harm?” — Former President Obama, during 2012 prayer vigil for victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn.
Having an impact
The latest proof that the activism of the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., is having an impact:
Settling the debt
Like a weed sprouting from the crack in a sidewalk, the truth always comes out. Take, for example, the rancid deal struck in 2012 by City Hall and the Washington NFL team for a Richmond training camp. City Council was left out of the negotiations between the team, former Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the city’s Economic Development Authority that resulted in construction of the Leigh Street training camp that is used by the team, at most, two to three months of the year.
RVA Night League for Safer Streets builds life skills, relationships along with basketball
RVA Night League for Safer Streets is set to start its second season of night basketball with more jumps shots and lifestyle workshops.
