AGENDA DATE: 7/3/2019
TITLE:
Title
Community Remembrance Project: Installation of Historic Marker
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approval of installation of historic marker
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Russell
PRESENTER (S): n/a
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On July 5, 2018, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors formally supported the memorialization of the lynching of Mr. John Henry James through its approval of a resolution supporting participation in the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Community Remembrance Project (Attachment A).
EJI's Community Remembrance Project was founded to recognize victims of lynching nationally by collecting soil from lynching sites, erecting historical markers, and creating memorials that recognize racial injustice.
The lynching of Mr. John Henry James took place in Albemarle County on July 12, 1898. In keeping with the goals of the Community Remembrance Project, staff is seeking approval to install a historic marker memorializing the murder of Mr. James. Attachment B provides the EJI marker language.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Educational Opportunities: Provide lifelong learning opportunities for all our citizens
DISCUSSION: The proposed installation of the marker on County property, near the intersection of Park and Jefferson Street, provides access and visibility to the marker.
The EJI's historic markers (an example pictured in Attachment C) are similar in design to the common style of historic markers erected nationwide. One side of the marker will have standard language describing the history of racial terror violence generally, as well as the EJI's nationwide memorialization effort, and the other side will contain site specific language referencing Mr. James' story.
BUDGET IMPACT: No budget impact is anticipated; the EJI is providing the marker at no cost to the County.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board approv...
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