Dozens of people participated in a candlelight vigil and guided meditation for victims of sexual assault in Del Ray on Tuesday night (Oct. 13).
The event was led by clinical psychologists Lauren Fisher, Eleni Boosalis and Talia Abreu in the parking lot of Del Ray Psych and Wellness (1900 Mount Vernon Avenue). As national outrage grows over allegations of a 2024 gang rape at Cornell University, participants at the vigil said they hope the country is reaching an inflection point on the issue.
There’s a vigil on King Street in Old Town against the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas on Friday (July 25).
The protest will be held in the pedestrian-only 100 block of King Street at 7 p.m., according to an Instagram post from Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights. The group has been a near-constant presence in Alexandria for more than a year-and-a-half in the city. Members have demonstrated at city council meetings, a reelection campaign event with U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and the opening of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.
Last night, a crowd gathered in Old Town for a candlelight vigil to commemorate the 67 victims of a midair crash near Reagan National Airport last week.
Among the speakers at the event were elected leaders from the region including Sen. Tim Kaine, Rep. Don Beyer and Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins.
A candlelight vigil is planned tonight at Rivergate City Park (2 Montgomery Street) in Alexandria for victims of the midair collision last week at National Airport.
There were 67 people killed when a landing airplane struck a military helicopter, including a mother and daughter from Alexandria. Yesterday, the remains of all 67 victims were finally recovered from the Potomac River.
There will be a candlelight vigil for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Old Town on Thursday night.
Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87 on September 18. She and served on the court for 27 years.
Alexandria had quite a week, and it’s time to look back as it comes to a close.
In addition to moving into the second phase of its economic recovery, there were a number of important events of interest, including the city council’s passage of an ordinance prohibiting firearms on city property, approved the creation of a police review board, continued expressions of support for the black community in the wake of the George Floyd Murder, and a renewed effort to rename T.C. Williams High School.
It was quite a week in Alexandria. The city saw the removal of a controversial Confederate Statue at Prince and Washington Streets, had numerous vigils and demonstrations against police brutality, and weathered more cases of COVID-19.
Alexandria, like all great cities, is constantly changing and evolving. pic.twitter.com/CZTjlOkpfT
(Updated at 5 p.m.) Alexandrians came out in droves on Thursday and Friday in support of George Floyd and a number of African Americans who have died at the hands of the police.
Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said at a peaceful demonstration at Charles Houston Recreation Center that there needs to be a revolution within local government to pass legislation that helps residents of color.
High School Student Assaulted Walking Home — “The assault occurred near the intersection of Russell Road and Rosecrest Avenue in the Del Ray/Rosemont neighborhood. The victim was a member of the T.C. Williams High School baseball team.” [Alex Times]
Officers Complain of Toxic Work Culture at Alexandria Police Department — “There are employees, including some who resigned after allegedly being subjected to retribution, who blame Chief Michael L. Brown for establishing an environment without discipline or accountability, where misconduct is swept under the rug. They say that under Chief Brown’s leadership, problems have gotten worse, which has fueled retirements and resignations from the department.” [Alex Times]
Alexandria is shutting down vehicular access to a number of its roadways Thursday, as residents are expected to turn out in droves in support of George Floyd and a number of African Americans who have died at the hands of the police throughout the country.
A number of new events have also been planned in Alexandria in the days ahead. Today from 4-7 p.m., a march is planned from George Washington Middle School along King Street to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Traffic is being cleared for pedestrians, and drivers are being advised to avoid the area.
As protests continue nationwide for victims of racial violence, Alexandria community organizers are planning to conduct a peaceful vigil in honor of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor on Thursday.
The vigil is scheduled to be held at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) from 7-8:30 p.m.
