*JAIL POLICY MAKING BODY LACK DIVERSITY!
*OFFICER WHO SHOT MR. BROWN INDICTED ON A FELONY CHARGE!
*COMMUNITY WILL CONDUCT A RALLY AGAINST VOTER SUPPRESSION ON AUGUST 28!
*Local Governments Provides Over Fifteen (15) Million Taxpayer Dollars to an Organization that Does Not Support Diversity in its Governing Body! The Rappahannock Regional Jail governing body (Jail Authority Board) has no minority members on its board. The governing body consists of representatives from Fredericksburg, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Each locality provides over three (3) million dollars towards the operation of the jail. It should be noted that from the information we have gathered, there has only been one person of color on the board over the past 25 years. It should also be noted that the coalition offered a resolution to address this matter, however the board rejected their recommendation without hearing the merit of their suggestion. Also, during the past year Gov. Northam signed into law several bills designed to ensure that diversity and civil rights organizations are included in every phase of policy and planning, when dealing with criminal justice reform. Gov. Northam stated “these new laws represent a tremendous step forward in rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the community they serve. The new laws provide recommendations and expectations that criminal justice boards, committees and organizations associated with criminal justice make special efforts to restructure their organization to include representation of community interest of minorities and mental health service providers”. The branch will continue to make efforts to address this lack of minority representation on the RRJ Board.
*Deputy Involved in the Shooting of Isaiah Brown Indicted on a Felony Charge. A grand jury has charged the deputy with felony reckless handling of a firearm.
Although many people are pleased that the officer was charged with a crime, however, just as many people feel the deputy should have been charged with a more serious charge due to the nature of the incident and the number of shots fired into and at Mr. Brown.
*Local NAACP’s Will Join the National Effort Against Voter Suppression By Participating in a Rally on August 28, 2021! As many of you are aware, throughout America State Houses of Representatives are drafting legislation and laws to limit voting access. Many of the laws are designed to restrict, deter, and even prohibit the ability of eligible voters in specific groups to cast their ballot. In an effort to show support and raise awareness of the need to ensure legislatures know that people are concerned about these actions, the annual march in Washington DC to recognize the MLK 1963 march on Washington is designating this year’s gathering to address the efforts by states to suppress the ability to vote. We are joining other citizens to express our support toward this cause. We recognize that generations before us marched, bled and died for the right to vote; therefore, we must be vigilant and prepared to take any measure necessary to protect our right to vote. So, we invite everyone to join us on August 28 at 2:00 in Bragg Hill for a short ceremony and rally at MLK Bridge on Fall Hill Ave. in Fredericksburg.
*This is an Election Year! The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and State House Delegates for the 54th, 55th, 56th & 88th Districts, as well as three local Board of Supervisors, and School Board members will be elected this November. FYI: Early Voting Beginning - September 17; Deadline to Register - October 12; Deadline to Request a Ballot to be Mailed - October 22; Two Saturdays open for voting – October 23 & 30; Last Day In-Person Early Voting – October 30; General Election Voting – November 2, 2021: Please visit the website for more information. Registrar’s # 540-507-7380
*Reserve The Date: October 9, 2021! Branch Will Host a “Community Unity Banquet Fundraiser”. For more information contact Mr. Petway at 540-847-7637.
NOTE: Due to the Pandemic Monthly Meetings are ZOOM!