Alexandria African American activists and leaders virtually came out in force on Sunday to demand that T.C. Williams High School be renamed.
“When I first learned that the high school that I graduated from was named after a segregationist and a racist, I was appalled,” said Lindsey Woodson Vick, a T.C. grad, who organized and led Zoom chat with advocates for changing the school name. “We owe better to the people who came before us and the people who will come after us.”
Margaret Chisley has seen it all. The 109-year-old lifelong Alexandria resident celebrated in style on June 26 on her front porch behind a plastic screen as well-wishers drove by, waved signs and honked their horns.
“I’m so excited,” Chisley said behind the protective screen. “Thank you all so much.”
There are now 57 reported coronavirus-related deaths in Alexandria, and there are now 2,317 cases in the city, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The most recent death was reported on Saturday, June 27, and six additional fatalities that occurred in April and May were officially added to the death count on Friday, June 26.
Alexandria Among Top Cities Where Women Find Success — “Here in Alexandria, more than two-thirds of women have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The median income of women is more than $75,800. In addition, almost one-third (31.3 percent) of local businesses are owned by women.” [Alexandria Living]
Mayor Supports Governor Extending Rent Moratorium — “The extraordinary financial pressure facing residents of Alexandria who are experiencing unemployment or loss of income continues. Today, I supported the Governor of Virginia’s efforts to extend the moratorium on evictions to allow state/local rent relief programs to assist.” [Facebook]
It was a busy week in Alexandria, and there is plenty to talk about.
The city is moving forward with phase three of reopening its economy on July 1, and the news comes as the death toll from the coronavirus moved up to 50 and the number of cases steadily rise.
An Alexandria police officer has been dismissed and is facing criminal review after allegedly using unjustified force against an unarmed man.
“A white male officer reported using weaponless force against a white male subject’s leg, in order to take him to the ground,” the City of Alexandria said in a press release. “The subsequent investigation determined that the use of force was unjustified because no force was necessary.”
An Alexandria Police cruiser was reportedly spray-painted with Black Lives Matter messaging in the West End on the late evening of June 23 or early morning of June 24.
No suspects have been found, according to police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine.
A summer learning program all Alexandria City Public Schools students will be expected to attend is scheduled to start on July 6 and will continue throughout that month.
According to ACPS, summer learning will be offered Monday through Thursday from July 6 to July 31. Pre-K through 8th-grade classes are scheduled to run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. while high school classes are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Class sizes are expected to be around 25-30 students together in a Zoom call.
After extensive drive-thru and walk-up testing at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexandria is preparing to shift the focus toward taking testing to the city’s heavily impacted communities.
Mayor Justin Wilson said in the last of his weekly town hall meetings yesterday (Thursday) that he spoke to the Virginia Secretary of Health’s office about shifting the focus of testing.
Alexandria might be moving into phase three of reopening its economy on July 1, but it’s taking a slow approach to opening its facilities back up to staff and the public. City staff are planning on slowly getting back to their respective offices, and departments are looking at rotational staff schedules with the goal of starting the process in mid-July.
“We want to continue to minimize physical interaction (with the public) while gradually increasing those service offerings,” Terry Suehr, the city’s director of the Department of Project Implementation, told City Council earlier this week. “We will remain in partial opening all the way through to when this virus is more in a completely controlled it’s not a big threat to us.”
Beyer Praises House Passage of George Floyd Justice In Policing Act — “The House just passed the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, the most ambitious federal reform of law enforcement powers in decades. A big moment!” [Twitter]
ALX Community Coworking Spaces Now Have Plexiglass Screens — “It’s a strange new world, but we’re so happy to see some member faces back in the space & taking care of each other by social distancing and by helping keep everything extra clean.” [Facebook]
