Reclaiming the Monument

We are honored to join Black History Museum of Virginia to commemorate the history of the Leigh Street Armory and the First Battalion Virginia Volunteers. This historic building, located in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward, has the unique distinction of being the only armory ever built by the United States of America for Black Servicemen.

Throughout its history this building has been a place for community, learning, and pride for Richmonders: first as the home of the First Battalion, then as the Monroe School, the Monroe Center, and now the Black History Museum of Virginia. This history has now been removed from Department of Defense websites.

In this historic month of emancipation and liberation for our city and nation, we remember the history of this space and the individuals who served our country within its walls and beyond.

We are excited to be partnering with to commemorate their 20th Annual Gabriel Gathering this weekend through light installations at the African Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom, Friday - Monday 7pm-11pm.
This installation will feature works from , and , and Networked Public Spaces.

"Each year on Oct. 10, the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project (sacredgroundproject.net) of the Virginia Defenders hosts a community gathering at Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground. Oct. 10 was the date in 1800 when the great slave rebellion leader Gabriel was executed at this site. We gather to honor Gabriel and all those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, to celebrate more than 20 years of learning the history of this sacred ground and to rededicate ourselves to reclaiming and properly memorizing Shockoe Bottom, once the epicenter of the U.S. domestic slave trade."

Event Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1409102309578832

We will be holding a celebration of lights, art, music, and community on Belle Isle July 8-10, featuring projected artworks from some great Richmond artists, organizations, and musicians. More details to be announced in the coming days.

ARTISTS: We are holding an open call to join us on our project this year. Selected artists receive a $5,000 commission to collaborate on monumental works of public art alongside some amazing longtime activists in our city and our creative team.
Open to artists working across all media, individuals or collectives.
Apply at www.reclaimingthemonument.com/artistapp

Please sign this petition to remove the fencing around Marcus David-Peters Circle.

"Marcus-David Peters Circle is a public forum and access to it is protected under the First Amendment. It is a space for gatherings, demonstrations, and mutual aid. In its current state, the Lee Monument stands inaccessible to the public and is incapable as serving as a public forum. While the removal of the monument is schedule for July 2021, court appeals from locals to keep the statue have destabilized this removal date. However, it has been made clear that the statue is not coming down any time soon. While it is understandable to protect the safety of workers and visitors during the statue's removal, the grounds surrounding the Lee Monument must continuously operate as a public forum until such time as the removal is imminent. This specific location in Richmond has served as a center of community engagement, and the state conceded its status as a public forum when it put in place a process to permit such expressive activity (1VAC30-150-10 - 1VAC30-150-50). It is imperative that the Virginia Department of General Services and Governor Ralph Northam remove the fencing surrounding Marcus-David Peters Circle until the date of the statues removal is definite. "

"This fence has separated the community from the reclaimed space. Stop protecting white supremacist statues and let the people visit the memorials."

"The fence is a blatant act of disrespect by the city and an attempt to silence the citizens who have a basic right to this space that have transformed it into a memorial for those lost to police brutality and a center for community aid and awareness"

"The peaceful protest and education efforts at the Robert E Lee statue have received global recognition for inspiring important community change. The fences are an unnecessary barrier to this important work. Take them down."

Sign the Petition Petition for the Removal of the Fences Surrounding Marcus-David Peters Circle

This picture is a soldier of the , aka the , during projected on the 2/6/2021 in , as part of the Reclaiming The Monument project.

Photo by Zach Fichter