VCU activists: students have a “responsibility” to get involved
Katharine DeRosa, Staff Writer As the semester starts, students return to a different Richmond; one where monuments to the Confederacy have been torn down, and the words “Black Lives Matter” are spray-painted across the boarded-up city. Demonstrators gathered at the Compass on Monday, the first day of classes for many, to protest against VCU Police. […]
Protesters visit Siegel Center as House of Delegates convenes for special session
Andrew Ringle, Executive Editor More than 100 protesters marched down the hot asphalt of Broad Street on Tuesday, blocking two lanes of traffic and facing off with officers from VCU and Virginia State Police. “Whose streets? Our streets,” they chanted as some in the crowd wove flags and handmade signs bearing the name of Marcus-David […]
Police pull out of ‘Conversations at the Monument’ appearance
Eduardo Acevedo, News Editor Richmond residents, local elected officials and community organizers gathered on the medians around Marcus-David Peters Circle on Saturday afternoon to discuss citywide issues, including public safety and criminal justice, mental health and healthcare, housing, and education. Four canopies, or “conversation stations,” were pitched on the east side median near the traffic […]
SGA president-elect: Rao statement against violence was ‘precursor’ to Monroe Park arrests
Katharine DeRosa, Staff Writer Taylor Maloney, president-elect of the Student Government Association at VCU, was arrested for trespassing in Monroe Park while protesting against police brutality. Her arrest came on the heels of an email by VCU President Michael Rao, condemning violent protests that took place the previous night. “I personally believe what he [Rao] […]
PHOTOS: George Floyd’s family speaks at Richmond demonstration
CT Staff Report Relatives of George Floyd spoke at a demonstration in Marcus-David Peters Circle on Tuesday to an audience of at least 200 people. Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody with an officer’s knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. In a video of the incident, Floyd can be heard saying […]
Richmond resident claiming he was pepper-sprayed in his home sues city, unnamed officer
Andrew Ringle, Executive Editor “They sprayed innocent people.” That’s what Richmond resident Mikhail Smith said drove him to lean outside his apartment window in the early morning hours of May 31 and start filming what would soon become a viral video — police officers pepper-spraying pedestrians on the sidewalk outside his home. As Smith filmed […]
PHOTOS: Richmond removes Monument Avenue statue honoring Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart
Andrew Ringle, Executive Editor The City of Richmond hired out-of-state crews to remove a statue of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart on Monument Avenue Tuesday morning. The removal is one of 11 others planned by Mayor Levar Stoney and follows the removal of a statue honoring Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson on July 1.
Police arrest 6, use rubber bullets, chemical agents to disperse protesters at Robert E. Lee statue
Hannah Eason, Managing Editor Six demonstrators were arrested after police deployed what appeared to be tear gas and explosives at the Robert E. Lee monument on Friday night, following a concert in the grass circle earlier in the evening. The Richmond Police Department declared the gathering an “unlawful assembly” after 10 p.m. on Friday “due […]
General Services removes tables, tents after ‘unlawful assembly’ at Robert E. Lee monument
Eduardo Acevedo, News Editor Hannah Eason, Managing Editor Andrew Ringle, Executive Editor Correction: An earlier version of this story stated police removed items from inside the statue’s park area. It was the Virginia Department of General Services. As the sun rose and birds began to chirp on Wednesday, a small group of demonstrators reentered the […]
Police use chemical agents to disperse ‘unlawful’ gathering at J.E.B. Stuart statue in Richmond
Andrew Ringle, Executive Editor Richmond and Virginia State police officers deployed what appeared to be pepper spray, flash bangs and tear gas on demonstrators and reporters at the J.E.B. Stuart memorial on Sunday. Protesters attempted to pull down the statue with rope before officers from the Richmond Police Department responded. Police announced through bullhorns that […]