AGENDA DATE: 7/5/2018
TITLE:
Title
Equal Justice Initiative-Community Remembrance Project
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Provide background and educational information on 1898 lynching at Wood’s Crossing and Board adoption of Resolution of Support for the Community Remembrance Project
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Russell
PRESENTER (S): Andrea Douglas, Jalane Schmidt, Siri Russell
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Charlottesville’s City Council created an ad-hoc blue ribbon commission on May 2, 2016, to address the questions and concerns brought before them regarding race, memorials and public spaces in Charlottesville. This commission brought forth a recommendation, endorsed by City Council in September 2017, to participate in the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project to acknowledge and memorialize the local lynching of Mr. John Henry James.
Through the work of local historians, community activists, and UVA’s Geospatial Services Lab, the actual location of the lynching was determined as having taken place at what was formerly the Railroad Crossing at Woods Station-now property owned by the Farmington Country Club within Albemarle County.
The initiative to partner with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Community Remembrance Project in the memorialization is being led by the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center Director, Andrea Douglas and UVA Religious Studies professor, Jalane Schmidt.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission: TO enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds
DISCUSSION: Drs. Douglas and Schmidt are presenting to the Board:
• Background and historical information on the lynching of Mr. John Henry James
• An overview of associated commemorative activities including the soil gathering and pilgrimage
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact associated with this presentation.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends:
1. That the Board of Supervisors accept the information provided in the presentation.
2. Adopt the attached Resolution of Support for the EJI’s Community Remembrance Project
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Resolution of Support for Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project