After months of discussion, Alexandria’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) voted in favor of a recommendation that City Council pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The workroom in City Hall was packed to standing-room-only with supporters of the ceasefire resolution who have been active for months in both Human Rights Commission meetings and City Council public hearings calling for a ceasefire resolution.
While there have been conflicts between Israel and Palestine for decades, the latest conflict started on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. After the attack, Alexandria’s City Hall was lit in blue and white in support of Israel.
Alexandria City Hall is lit in the Blue and White as we stand with Israel and against the murderous terrorism of Hamas. pic.twitter.com/qLVwx8Oevr
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) October 11, 2023
Since then, Israel’s attack on Gaza has caused extensive civilian casualties and devastated much of Gaza. Several cities around the United States have issued calls for a ceasefire.
There’s been resistance to a ceasefire in Alexandria, however. The HRC had planned to vote on a resolution in February but was told that Commissions cannot pass resolutions and can only make recommendations to the city. The HRC was also told by a member of city staff that three elected officials asked that the HRC not send them a resolution on an international issue.
The HRC held off on voting on the issue until they could meet with the Office of the City Attorney, but a letter sent by City Attorney Cheran Ivery said “given what I have been told transpired at the most recent HRC meeting, I do not believe that would be a productive interaction, so I respectfully decline.
Ivery said in the letter that the HRC does not have the authority to pass resolutions, but that it can communicate its position to the City Council on a topic:
As previously stated in writing, and reiterated to the HRC by staff, it is the opinion of my office that the HRC lacks the authority to pass resolutions. This opinion has nothing whatsoever to do with the subject matter of any proposed resolution. Should the HRC desire to communicate its position to the city council on any topic, it certainly may do so in several different ways,e.g., a letter, report, or memorandum,to name a few mechanisms.
Much of the discussion from the HRC was on crafting language in their recommendation to avoid making it sound too much like a resolution, substituting instances of “request” and “call” to a softer “recommend.”
The final resolution read:
Recommendation to Join Representative Don Beyer in a call for a long-lasting Ceasefire in Gaza
The Alexandria Human Rights Commission accompanies our Jewish and Palestinian residents in their suffering in light of the horrific attacks of October 7th and the catastrophic loss of civilian life that has followed in Gaza. During its last three meetings, the Commission has heard about the extreme emotional pain experienced by Alexandria residents who have strong personal ties to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. These residents feel that their voices are not being heard as decisions directly affecting them are made by City, state, and federal officials.
Alexandria is a diverse city that welcomes people hailing from all corners of the globe and practicing all religions. Consistent with the maxim that all human life is precious and must be protected, the City will not tolerate any acts of violence or hatred, including any antisemitic, Islamophobic, anti-Palestinian, or anti-Arab acts against our residents or visitors. Residents may contact the Office of Human Rights if they are aware of any such events or have concerns to express.
After several months of hearing heartbreaking testimony, the Alexandria Human Rights Commission finds it imperative that we recommend the City Council to call for a durable ceasefire. Several cities around the country have adopted resolutions containing similar calls.
The Human Rights Commission of the City of Alexandria recommends that our City Council join us in echoing the call of Alexandria’s U.S. Representative Don Beyer on December 4th for a “durable ceasefire to secure the release of all hostages, a halt to attacks on Israel, the protection of civilian lives in Gaza, and an end to the appalling loss of life from this conflict.”
“This is about right and wrong,” said Matt Harris. “I think we’ve done the right thing here calling for a ceasefire in this terrible situation.”
Others said they regretted how long the process had taken.
“Several of us regret very much how long it has taken,” Tom Reeder said.
The recommendation passed with 13 in favor and one abstaining.
There were around 30 activists gathered at the far end of the room, many of them with signs sharing the names and photos of civilians killed in Gaza.
Comments from the audience expressed appreciation to the HRC for its work, saying the fight will continue with trying to get Alexandria’s City Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire.
“This issue has brought us public participation on an unprecedented scale,” said Marc Bendick Jr. “I hope that you will continue to be active in the city on many issues. Feel free at any time to come to this Commission because you have enriched us in this process.”
A large part of the discussion was also from members of the HRC encouraging activists to continue their work in Alexandria, combating both antisemitism and Islamophobia. Commission members also used the unique level of attendance at the meeting to encourage activists to:
- Apply for vacancies on Alexandria Boards and Commissions
- Volunteer with local non-profit ALIVE!
- Spread word about the Gerry Bertier Scholarship and John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award
(Updated 2/23) While pro-Potomac Yard arena advocates and lobbyists are making the rounds in Richmond, a group of locals are also knocking on doors in the legislature fighting against the arena.
Former Mayor Allison Silberberg joined others from the Coalition to Stop the Potomac Yard Arena in Richmond
Silberberg said the group has been traveling to Richmond by the busload to meet with legislators and senior staff.
“The Coalition to Stop the Arena is a grassroots effort,” Silberberg said. “It’s regular residents who are trying to raise strong concerns about traffic impacts that cannot be dismissed with a traffic study.”
Silberberg said the group’s two main concerns are transportation and the risk to the Commonwealth of Virginia if the arena fails to meet certain financial goals. Alexandria and Virginia could be on the hook for the $1 billion on public bonds to fund the project if spending and tax revenue don’t meet expectations.
“The arena proposal would create financial risks for the Commonwealth of Virginia, in large part because the $1.5 billion bond would put the Commonwealth’s bonding capacity and bond rating at risk,” Silberberg said.
The Coalition’s activism comes at a perilous time for the arena deal. There’s been some positive news about the arena — GMU released a study showing it could be a boon for workforce housing — but most of the arena headlines have been negative, from labor unions uniting in opposition to the arena plans to Sen. Louise Lucas removing the arena plans from a hearing in the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.
Silberberg said the reception in Richmond has been “diverse” depending on who the group has spoken to, but so far all of the meetings have been cordial.
Silberberg said most in the group are not opposed to development in Potomac Yard, but that they want to see the area emerge as a technology corridor like the new Virginia Tech campus, the plans Silberberg said were discussed in city leadership before the announcement of the Potomac Yard arena.
What a day in Richmond! Our Stop the Arena group had another full day of meetings with Senators, Delegates, and senior staff. Honored to meet with all, especially @SenLouiseLucas and her staff. Grateful to all who met with us — far too many to list here. @stop_arena @NoGlennDome https://t.co/ct41oEwQON
— Allison Silberberg (@A_Silberberg) February 22, 2024
“It’s a big deal for all of us to take time from work and family to go down there, but it’s a huge issue that would affect our beloved city,” Silberberg said. “We are up against huge money and huge forces.”
The last day of the legislative session is March 9.
The ongoing public opinion war over the Potomac Yard arena continued this weekend with a public town hall at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) on Saturday and a protest against it outside.
The two-hour town hall included a discussion of the economic impact of the new arena and public safety, but transportation continued to be the central piece of the Potomac Yard arena discourse.
As the fight continues in Alexandria over the Potomac Yard arena, City Council members said it’s part of a broader fight over securing more state funding for WMATA. State Sen. Adam Ebbin previously called Metro funding a ‘prerequisite‘ for the arena. Both Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and Metro General Manager Randy Clarke acknowledged that the current Potomac Yard arena cannot handle arena traffic without significant upgrades.
“It’s embarrassing that we have to sit here in front of you and talk about the lack of funding for the WMATA system,” said Council member Canek Aguirre. “How are we even going to put a proposal forward when there’s the potential for closing the station that supports this arena. If the WMATA funding doesn’t happen, this doesn’t work.”
“We cannot abandon Metro,” said Council member Sarah Bagley. “We must continue to do what my colleague and I and others are doing: impress on the General Assembly and the Governor that this is a vital piece of our network.”
City Council members also argued that the arena will be a vital piece for economic development around Potomac Yard and the city at large.
City Council member John Chapman said that the city has been focusing on ‘catalysts’ to spark economic development in neighborhoods.
“That’s been the focus of the city: looking at catalyst projects in neighborhoods that can spark economic development so we do have other businesses, restaurants, other impacts that come to that area to take the pressure off our residential base,” said Chapman.
Aguirre said the projected revenues from the arena can help pay for things like more recreation centers and library expansion, but also acknowledged frustrations that the city and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) have refused to release the fully economic impact report — instead only releasing a summary of the report that includes very little hard figures and analysis.
“With this proposal, it is additional tax money to pay for the expansion of the library and another rec center and dollars for our schools,” Aguirre said. “This is one of the things I asked of staff too: we need to have tangible numbers, which we don’t have right now. I’m sorry, I apologize to the public for this.”
The project has also faced scrutiny for abandoning D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood, but Vice Mayor Amy Jackson said that’s not the city’s problem.
“We have the opportunity to have something really great here,” Jackson said. “It’s unfortunate that there’s a whole other level of deal-making that fell through on the D.C. side. Is that our problem? I would say no.”
Outside, Washingtonians and Alexandrians held a rally opposing the arena.
“A lot of us met the day of the announcement out there protesting,” said Adrien Lopez, part of the Coalition to Stop the Arena. “We heard about it and were shocked. We formed a coalition that has only grown stronger every day.”
Protestors criticized the project for its negative impact on D.C., the transportation woes, and as a financially unsound investment in Alexandria’s future. Former City Council candidate Boyd Walker said city leaders should put the arena on a referendum, as is being considered in Fairfax County for a casino in Tysons.
“City Council could very easily have a referendum and put it on the ballot, just like they did for the casino in Tysons,” Walker said. “This whole entertainment district could suck business from Old Town and Del Ray. There’s no economic model and they need to release the full study that citizen tax dollars paid for.”
Did you miss yesterday’s City Council Town Hall meeting?
If so, here’s the video of the Alexandria City Council answering two hours worth of questions from our community about the proposed Potomac Yard Entertainment District.
Check it out:https://t.co/aNcUuFOvVJ
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) January 28, 2024
Alexandria’s City Council is hosting a town hall tomorrow (Saturday) to discuss the new Potomac Yard arena, but some locals are planning to rally outside the event and protest.
The town hall is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street).
“The town hall will include a short presentation on the project and Members of Council will respond to questions, concerns, and feedback submitted by the community,” the city website said.
The town hall is part of an ongoing public engagement process around the proposed arena.
A mostly Alexandria-based group called the Coalition to Stop the Arena will be protesting with a D.C.-based group called Don’t Mute DC outside of the town hall. At previous rallies, Coalition members said they had deep concerns about the lack of clear answers on transportation issues related to the arena.
“The transportation concerns are insurmountable,” said Shannon Curtis, a nearby resident and part of the Coalition. “Forcing people into public transit is laudable, but the reality is most people will drive here… It will create a traffic boondoggle.”
Monumental Sports owner Ted Leonsis said in an open letter that optimization of transportation to the site is being studied.
“Significant efforts are being made to study and optimize transportation options,” Leonsis said. “The Entertainment District will be in a vibrant and central location for our fans, accessible by Metro, car, with 2,500 underground parking spaces, dedicated rideshare drop off, water taxi, walking, running, and bike trail.”
Notably: Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said the Potomac Yard Metro station is not built to handle arena traffic and Mayor Justin Wilson acknowledged that the current station cannot accommodate that use. The water taxi has been repeatedly brought up as a possibility by advocates of the arena, despite the fact that Four Mile Run is only four feet deep and the arena is separated from the Potomac River by a Metro line, train tracks, the George Washington Parkway, and the Mount Vernon Trail.
Others said they were concerned about issues related to the city’s investment in the project — particularly if the arena isn’t profitable — and crime.
At a public forum last night about housing and other issues, City Manager Jim Parajon said the city is working on a “very strong public safety plan.”
“The way we operate is that we develop through an agreement a public safety and service plan intended to draw all of the necessary resources from around the region as part of secondary employment, particularly for the public safety apparatus,” Parajon said. “There is no impact to the ability for us to serve our community as fully as we plan to do without this project.”
Despite this, sources in the Alexandria Police Department and Sheriff’s Office told ALXnow they don’t think the city’s understaffed law enforcement have the resources to adequately police the proposed arena.
A group of Alexandrians and activists from the neighboring suburb — Washington D.C. — rallied outside of the Potomac Yard Metro station this afternoon, protesting the proposal to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to a new arena on the site.
The Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard held the rally with around 20 protestors and half as many local reporters.
“The idea that it’s an arena or nothing, that’s not true,” said former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald. “We don’t need an arena to thrive.”
Concerns from residents range from the project’s transportation impact — Metro GM Randy Clarke said the nearby Metro station is insufficient to handle the transit demands of the site — to uncertainty about the financial benefits.
“The transportation concerns are insurmountable,” said Shannon Curtis, a nearby resident and part of the Coalition. “Forcing people into public transit is laudable, but the reality is most people will drive here… It will create a traffic boondoggle.”
The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) released a summary of a report commissioned by HR&A advisors describing the economic benefits of the project, but AEDP did not respond to questions about when the full report would be made public. From what was released, some said there is uncertainty about the way some of the findings are reported and the validity of a study commissioned by AEDP.
“Local officials are reminding me of anti-vaxxers,” Curtis said. “They’re relying on one hired gun they paid for answers they want to hear. There’s no transparency.”
“This is a bad financial deal,” Macdonald said. “It’s bad for the city. It’s bad for Virginia.”
In December, Mayor Justin Wilson said the financing structure would have three sources: the city and the state taking portions of tax revenue coming from the development to pay off the loans used for construction and private funding from Ted Leonsis.
Dan Heng, a local resident, noted that the city and state will be paying off the stadium for 40 years, which means the city and state will be on the hook for paying for the stadium even if Leonsis decides to leave in 10 or 20 years.
Others said they were concerned about crime created by the new arena.
“I’m concerned about more crime,” said local resident Barbara Haley. “Nobody is talking about plans to mitigate crime. I would like to see a plan, but they don’t have one. Nobody is talking about it.”
The project has also created an uproar across the Potomac River. Ronald Moten, an activist in Washington D.C., said the project won’t benefit Potomac Yard more than other development would, but will rip the economic engine out of Chinatown.
“Everything that glitters is not gold,” Moten said. “The owner came to D.C., the city spent $65 million [on the arena] to spark growth, and then he left my city hanging.”
Moten said the Chinatown area has the transit access and infrastructure, as well as regional parking, that Potomac Yard lacks.
Moten also pointed back to the departure of Capitals Head Coach Barry Trotz as a telling example of deals with Leonsis.
“This is greed,” Moten said. “This is the owner who has the Capitals, whose head coach asked for a raise after winning the Stanley Cup, and they fired him. This is who you’re dealing with.”
Though it might not be at the same scale as other concerns, Capitals Fan Club member Howard Marks said he was concerned ticket prices would go up — though AEDP Chair Stephanie Landrum said at the announcement that ticket prices may actually decrease with the move due to different taxes in Virginia.
“There’s a surcharge tax on tickets, concessions, and parking to pay for these bonds,” Marks said. “Reveal to fans how much this will cost in fares.”
Macdonald said the looming fight is in the Virginia General Assembly. Despite bipartisan support from local and state leaders at the Potomac Yard arena announcement, delegates and state senators in both parties have expressed doubts about the project.
“We call upon all of the General Assembly to not approve this project,” Macdonald said.
PR firm Jasper Advisors reached out to ALXnow with a joint statement from Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Alexandria, and JBG SMITH, saying:
We are at the beginning of a process to share the vision to build a world-class Entertainment District and engage with the Alexandria community and listen to their feedback. Alexandria residents are rightfully proud of their city and can be assured we will listen to the needs and concerns of the community. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Alexandria, and JBG SMITH look forward to partnering with community members in Alexandria and fans across the Greater Washington Area to bring to life a collective vision for Potomac Yard and create exceptional experiences and regional economic growth for decades to come.
(Updated 2:30 p.m.) A group called the Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard is holding a rally tomorrow near the site of the proposed arena.
For those just now waking up from a month-long coma: Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis announced, along with city leaders and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, that the teams would be moving to a new arena in Potomac Yard — pending a series of approvals from various levels of government.
City, state and federal representatives said at the announcement that the announcement would be a significant economic boon to the city and accelerate development plans for Potomac Yard.
Public backlash was swift, with protestors gathering outside of the tent where the announcement was being held and jeering at officials inside.
The Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard was formed, hot on the heels of another coalition protesting against zoning changes. Former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald, chair of the Environmental Council of Alexandria, said the Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard is holding its first event on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m. just north of the Potomac Yard south station.
“The Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard will be holding its first media event at Potomac Yard to explain why we oppose the plan to build a sports arena in Alexandria,” Macdonald wrote. “We will answer questions about the project’s impacts on the community and taxpayers in Alexandria and Virginia.”
Macdonald led the charge, along with former Natural Resource Manager Rod Simmons, against the city’s Taylor Run Stream Restoration plans in 2021.
Last month, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) released a summary of an economic report from consultant HR&A advisors. The summary noted that the district would generate 30,000 jobs and nearly triple the economic output compared to what was currently planned for the Potomac Yard development.
The summary faced some criticism, though, from methodology to AEDP releasing a ‘summary’ rather than the full report.
Students walked out of classes at Alexandria City High School’s King Street campus this morning to support a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
Hundreds of students at the school, which has an enrollment of approximately 4,000 students, engaged in a walk-out protest — joining international protests against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
“There are Palestinian Jews dying every day,” one student speaker said. “We came here for peace. We are not spreading hate today. We are here to help stop a genocide.”
Chants of “No more hiding, no more fear, genocide is crystal clear” were heard from across King Street. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) said news media would not be allowed on school grounds during the walkout.
Most of the students returned to the school after the protest, though some left the campus.
“The protest was great,” one senior in a group of four told ALXnow. “We’re not going back today. We’re ditching school.”
Rabbi David Spinrad from the Beth El Hebrew Congregation stood across from the school with an Israeli flag.
“I’m an American and a Jew, and as an American, I respect the first amendment and people’s freedom of expression,” Spinrad said, “but that freedom of expression doesn’t extend to hate speech, it doesn’t include anti-semitism, which is far more nuanced, particularly in this situation than the vast majority of them have ever been educated around.”
Spinrad said he wants ACPS to ensure the protection of Jewish students at the school during the protests and would be interested to hear about the specifics of a ceasefire.
“If every one of the 248 hostages were immediately returned, if Hamas surrendered unconditionally, then I think a ceasefire is absolutely something that’s appropriate,” Spinrad. “But as long as Israel is fighting a state-sponsored terrorist organization that abuts the state of Israel, their responsibility is first and foremost to their citizens, including those 248 hostages.”
ACHS Executive Principal Alexander Duncan III notified parents via email on Wednesday afternoon that school staff have planned for a “peaceful and safe environment for our students.”
Duncan’s message is below:
It is our understanding that tomorrow (Thurs., Nov. 9, 2023) is a national day of protest related to current events in the Middle East. We have learned that there will be at least one student walkout at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) – King Street Campus that is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. We want to assure you that plans are in place as we work to ensure a peaceful and safe environment for our students.
As students exercise their right to free speech during the school day tomorrow, ACHS administrators and staff, in addition to Central Office staff, will be prepared and positioned to ensure that this walkout is conducted in a safe and respectful manner, with as little disruption to normal operations as possible. As stated in our Student Code of Conduct, we ask students to be kind, respectful and cooperative to prevent problems and solve problems in a peaceful and collaborative way.
For any student who has concerns about these ongoing events and wants to talk to a counselor or another trusted adult, there are resources in place. At ACHS, students can always reach out to a counselor or another Student Support Team (SST) member, administrator, or any trusted adult in the school if they are in need of help. Our students can also reach out to CrisisText and Crisis Link at any time, 24/7, through the contacts below:
- Text: CONNECT to 85511
- Call CrisisLink: 703-527-4077
We have collaborated with our Safety and Security Team to ensure that we have adequate security supports in place. The safety and security of our students and staff are of utmost priority.
Students also staged a walk-out protest earlier this year over the cancellation of lunchtime activities.
James Cullum and Vernon Miles contributed to this story
Freedom Rider Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, who was imprisoned in Mississippi for her civil rights activism, is scheduled to speak at a meeting of the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project later this month.
The Office of Historic Alexandria said Mulholland will speak at the free event at 1 p.m. in The Lyceum (201 S Washington Street) on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Mulholland participated in several civil rights events and will be available for a Q&A at the event, along with a book signing.
According to the OHA’s newsletter:
Freedom Rider Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, who also played a role in integrating Glen Echo Park, will speak to the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project for the Fall Meeting. The event is free and begins with a social at 1 p.m., with program to follow at 1:30 p.m. During the struggle for civil rights, Northern Virginian Trumpauer-Mulholland participated in more than 50 sit-ins and demonstrations including the Freedom Rides, the Jackson Woolworth’s Sit-in, the March on Washington, the Meredith March, and the march from Selma to Montgomery. Mulholland will be joined by her son and documentarian Loki Mulholland for the presentation, followed by time for questions and a book signing. Her most recent book, “Get Back to the Counter,” as well as some children’s books about nonviolent protests will be available for purchase.
The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project is an initiative that provides education on the history of civil rights and hate crimes, like the city’s two fatal lynchings.
Residents of an Arlandria affordable apartment complex say the new owner is drastically, and illegally, raising rent and not notifying tenants within 60 days.
Potomac West Apartments LLC bought the four-building, 60-unit apartment complex in June. Last month, residents with expiring leases were notified via letter of a rent increase.
“We just wanted to say thank you for being a wonderful resident of Potomac West Apartments,” begins an Aug. 1 letter to a resident. “We are planning on upgrading the property to include new washing and drying machines, renovated laundry rooms, landscaping upgrades and much more.”
The property manager then reminded residents in the letter that they must provide a 60-day notice if they are going to vacate.
Residents protested the action on Tuesday afternoon with a rally organized by Tenants and Workers United (TWU). The property is directly across the street from Housing Alexandria’s massive affordable apartment complex development at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road.
Jose Coca saw his rent increase by more than $500. The 85-year-old custodian at the Pentagon has lived on the property for more than 30 years and said that no improvements have been made to the property.
“When we go to the leasing office about a maintenance issue, they don’t pay attention to us,” Coca said.
Medical assistant Soraida Cruz has lived in her two-bedroom apartment for 18 years. She said her rent is being increased from $1,498 to $1,725 per month, and that Potomac West Apartments and property manager Chapman Management are not responsive.
“It hurts,” Cruz said. “It really does. I’m the only one working. If we had better conditions, paying less than what they are raising right now, I would continue living here, but it’s tough.”
Cruz also said that the buildings have rodent and maintenance issues that residents pay out of pocket to fix.
Larisa Zehr, an attorney from Legal Aid Justice Center, said that the new apartment building owners are breaking the law by not giving tenants at least 60 days notice of a rent increase.
“This makes common sense and it’s a basic protection for tenants,” Zehr said. “That did not happen here. As this area sees increased economic interest, we’re seeing this pattern developers are hiking rents and driving out long term stable families. This is purely profit-driven. We see rents increase without any improvement to living conditions.”
Zehr continued, “Potomac West Apartments is intended to be long-term affordable housing, which is subsidized by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. That means the owner has to cap rent at 60% of area median income. In Northern Virginia, as low income people are pushed out and displaced by wealthier households, that number keeps going up. The cap is not low enough to protect working class families like the families in this neighborhood.”
TWU mailed two letters to the property manager and owners asking for a sit-down to discuss rent increases and tenant needs. They did not receive a response.
“I know it’s not easy to be here after you work two jobs, after you cook for your family,” TWU Executive Director Evelyn Urritria told the protestors. “You are here because you care about your housing situation. It’s unfair what’s happening, it’s unjust what’s happening.”
Potomac West Apartments LLC and Chapman Management did not return calls for comment.
Roughly 160 years after Pickett’s Charge, some in Alexandria are hoping to bring another defeat to Confederate Major General George E. Pickett.
Signs have popped up on Pickett Street, which is named for the general, calling for it to be renamed.
A history teacher at Francis C. Hammond Middle School posted images of the signs outside the school near the intersection of N. Pickett Street and Seminary Road.
Seen outside @FCHammond, signs from BH AS, and AS informing the community that Pickett was racist, and suggesting two possible better names, Heather Heyer and Humayun Khan. #changeracistnames @AlexandriaNow@justindotnet@SarahforALX@Alyia4ALX@j_chapman99@ShawnEyer pic.twitter.com/ymSB5Nc0iS
— Mr. L (@MrLHistoryClass) June 6, 2023
The calls for the street’s renaming come amid a broader review of Confederate-honoring streets around the city. Earlier this year, Alexandria’s City Council discussed plans to rename roughly three Confederate-horning street names each year.
The city also later released a short guide for what those who live on one of those streets will need to do if the street is renamed.