You have entered a Militarized Police Zone....

Photo taken by Steven King, West Grace Street Police Precinct, June 15 2020

Dear Richmond,
Your streets weep the gas of tyrants and your soul mourns for the youth.   The language of the oppressed is overshadowed by the screams of the oppressor- by the tyrants of a force that is designed to systematically serve and protect the people of the highest order, the people of power.  "Go home" they yell, "be peaceful" they yell, "Leave our statues alone" they yell.  They yell and yell and if only they would listen- maybe just maybe they could understand.

Understand the screams of people who have been silenced for too long.  The determination of a new generation who has no interest in staying home or allowing our country to continue to plummet father and farther away from humanity.  The hope of a community as neighbor marches with neighbor, we work to protect each other in an effort to build a new community where everyone is granted the freedom to live without fear.

Our city is divided by hate and the protest is marching on the side of love.  And yet, the Richmond & Virginia State Police Forces enrage and provoke them, gas them, assault them and detains them.  You have ran them over with your SUV's and knocked them down with your flash bangs and banter.

Snapshot:  On May 25th George Floyd's murder is captured on cell phone video and seen across the world.  Minneapolis responds first, and then more city's join the cry for change.  Richmond was engaging by time the weekend hit. Sunday May 31st the first peaceful rally commenced and a curfew was set on Richmond that was also when the national guard rolled in.  Tanks now lined our grieving streets.  Instead of creating a space for healing, Richmond, you created a space for War.  Monday night, many Richmonders took to the streets peacefully and non-violently.  In what has since been liberated by the people. and newly re-named "Marcus-David Peters Circle".  Forty five minutes before curfew, the first assault against the citizens of Richmond hit.  Children, teenagers, mothers, grandmothers, college kids, all were there and were terrified as many of them encountered their first ever experience with Tear Gas.

Then in subsequent days and evenings following, protestors were hit by police cars, tear gassed and pepper sprayed many more times, arrested (200 arrested the first night) and RPD increased their warfare to include rubber bullets, flash bangs and just this week we saw our first sound canon.  We have had many battles against our militarized police force.  During one occasion protestors were asking for a hostage protestor back- that is correct, RPD took a protestor hostage and used them to barter her release on the agreement that all protestors will go home

Photo taken by Steven King, City Hall, June 23, 2020

This picture was taken at 1:07am during an organized sit-in at City Hall.  Since zero demands have been met in Richmond, protestors were hoping to get Mayor Stoney's attention.  The protestors planned to stay there through the night and non violently use their 1st amendment rights.  At the time this picture was taken, protestors had set up a projector to screen a movie.  They were unaware of the attack they were about to endure.  Police advanced on citizens and used everything at their disposal to assault these movie goers. 

Black Lives Matter!!!  I do not understand who our police or mayor are serving, it is certainly not the people.  This is our account of what has been happening in this beautiful city for the last 27 days.  It has been things we have witnessed ourselves.  It is important everyone finds their part in this movement for none of us are free until ALL of us are free!

Stay safe out there,
R&S

No Justice, No Peace

Photo taken by Steven King, Monument Avenue Richmond VA

Dear Richmond,

Your roots are racist, your statues are racist, and sadly many of your people are racist.  AND yet I call you my home.  Your roots are also built on the backs of the slaves that built this country and your people are also Black and Brown and White and Asian and Indian and so many other diverse races and ethnicities.  You are beautiful Richmond, but as we stand right now you are NOT FREE.  

The picture above shows the true soul and beauty of this city.  The statue is a terrible symbol but as a canvas for voice and a back drop of change you are beautiful.  As a city we grieve for the terrible violence at the hands of police towards our black and brown neighbors.  We however rejoice in the heart of a city willing to take back its streets and the bravery of the young. 

Change cannot and does not happen ONLY in the voting booths or in the court rooms, people have to use their voice to be heard and this week Richmond did that. The statues are coming down and that is directly due to the constant pressure that the young activists have put on our city governement for the last 10 days.  But we are not done yet.  Taking statues down does not end systemic racism and therefore the young brave activists of this city and many brave citizens of this city continue to take to the streets.  

Marcus David Peters was killed in 2018 by a Richmond police officer while experiencing a mental health crisis.  He was not clothed, not a threat, and just needed help.  Fear killed him, anger killed him, the police killed him.  Racism is alive in Richmond and this horrifying incident happened 2 years ago.  Why Richmond?  Why did it take two years, countless black and brown lives nation wide, and 10 days of protesting to get this conversation heard?  We HAVE to be part of the solution regardless of the color of our skin.  

Mayor Stoney has now committed to implementing the Marcus Alert which will require a mental health professional to accompany police to situations that involve a mental health crisis.  This is a great start but Richmond we must keep an eye on this policy and ensure that it enacts what the people have asked for and change it if it does not work.  No more death of my black and brown neighbors, no more police violence, no more excuses Richmond.  

Photo by Steven King, Monument Ave, Richmond VA

Our city is hurting Richmond, we weep from the pain, from the tear gas, from the hate.  Change is coming but nothing good ever comes for free.  The work must continue and the people must continue to have voice.  I will do my part Richmond, and not just for now but forever.  For if all of us are not free, none of us are free.

<3 In Solidarity,

Rachelle