Richmond Police officers remove belongings on July 30 from “Grace Park,” a two-month-old encampment created by protesters, after residents of the area complained. Location: The grassy median at Allen Avenue
and Grace Street north of the Lee statue on Monument Avenue. On the same day, police also cleared a similar camp on the Monument Avenue median north of the camp. Two people were arrested. By Monday, activists were once again distributing food, water and literature from tables in the Allen Avenue medians. Participants said police officers were regularly checking, but mostly appeared to condone the activity. However, they said police issued warnings against overnight stays on the medians. Police reported that about 11:15 p.m. July 30, shots were fired into a vehicle near the Lee statue circle following an altercation and that the glass
door of a residence in the 1600 block of Monument Avenue had been shattered by reported gunfire. Officers canvassing the area found a rifle and ammunition magazines. “Gunfire and violent behavior is not peaceful, nonviolent protest; it is criminal, unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city,” Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith said in a statement. “The City of Richmond will take all necessary steps to protect residents and visitors and preserve peace and public safety in our communities.”
