Tappahannock, Virginia joined a long list of American towns where residents have held Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death. A diverse group of organizers seek to bring attention to the extrajudicial killing of a former Essex High School biology teacher and a confederate monument that lies between the Essex County court house and sheriff’s office.
Marcus-David Peter’s Community Day will be held in downtown Tappahannock on July 11 at 1 p.m. in front of the confederate statue on Prince Street. Organizers are calling for the implementation of the Marcus Alert and removal of the statue. Guest speakers will include Princess Blanding, the sister of Marcus-David Peters, and civil rights attorney, Qasim Rashid.
Ronnie Sidney, II, one of the organizers for the event, launched a change.org petition that garnered 3,416 signatures in a little over two weeks. “My great-great-great grandfather Lewis Corbin was an enslaved African who escaped from bondage in Essex County and joined the Union army. I am calling for the removal of the confederate statue because it is a divisive symbol used to remind my great-great-great grandfather and I that white supremacy still has its knee on our neck,” said Ronnie.
At 3 p.m. festivities will shift to St. Margaret’s athletic fields on 300 Sycamore Dr. in Tappahannock, Virginiafor additional speakers and musical performances by UMIM-Urban Ministry In Motion, Brion Prezi Smith, Michael Hundley and more. Local vendors have been invited to provide an array of products and services.
Essex High School alumni Reginald Carter, Jr. hopes the event will spur civic participation. “The purpose of the event is to educate our community on the history of the confederate monument and to encourage participation in the Board of Supervisors meeting on the July 14,” said Reginald.
Organizers will be screening a trailer for a documentary on the historic Tappahannock march for justice that took place in June. Organizers ask that everyone practice social distancing and wear masks for the event.
For more information visit http://chng.it/ym5yjBLz or email Ronnie Sidney, II, at ronnie@creative-medicine.com.