Community activists, artists concerned for future of Marcus-David Peters Circle
Ebonique Little, Spectrum Editor Every day for eight months, members of Black Lives Matter RVA occupied a circular grassy area to celebrate the arts, host recreational events and tend to community gardens — until a fence barred their entry. “This fence kills what that is — a healing place,” said activist Wilnitka Morrison, pointing toward […]
Projection art reflects on summer of BLM protests, honors Marcus-David Peters
Iman Mekonen, Spectrum Editor An 11-foot-tall vinyl display with muted pastel colors displays a familiar scene of Marcus-David Peters Circle. The grassy area around the base of Robert E. Lee’s statue is filled with references to recent Black Lives Matter protests in Richmond: clouds of tear gas, a burning police car and a basketball hoop. […]
Local, national musicians utilize song as tool for activism
Ebonique Little, Contributing Writer Cellist Beth Almore sits once a week near a graffitied Confederate statue and scattered protest signs, playing a somber song for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — signifying how long former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck. “And even I feel like after six minutes, I’m like […]