The Mechanicsville Local – 08/28/19

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DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141

Vol. 36, No. 16 | Richmond Suburban News | August 28, 2019

STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN

Group rallies to support school name changes By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER — About 75 people gathered at the Hanover County courthouse complex on Tuesday, Aug. 20, for what was described as a community press conference regarding recent actions taken by the Hanover NAACP. The week before, the group filed a lawsuit against the Hanover County School Board and Hanover County regard-

ing the names of two schools in the county and the imagery and mascots associated with them. The suit alleges forcing children to attend schools with names like Lee-Davis Confederates and Stonewall Jackson Rebels is a violation of the First Amendment guaranteed protection against compelled speech. An attorney representing the plaintiff said the suit out-

Jim Ridolphi for The Local

lines violations regarding the Equal Protection Amendment and also violates the Equal Education Act. The suit cites both First and Fourteenth Amendment violations. Hanover County NAACP president Robert Barnette said

Robert Barnette, left, serves as president of the local NAACP chapter. Above, Harold Stills, who was the first African-American teacher at Lee-Davis High School, addressed the crowd gathered to seek support for changing the names of L-DHS and Stonewall Jackson Middle School.

the school names and imagery represent an atmosphere of exclusion and sends a continuing message to the African American community. “Students at both schools are forced to glorify the

items should be included, and the proper way to store the contents. The workshop also will teach basic prevention or mitigation strategies that you can do in your home to protect your household members and valuables. This presentation is intended for a broad array of audiences (aged 12 and over), including individuals and families preparing their homes, businesses or non-profit organizations looking to increase preparedness for their employees, or community groups looking to improve the see DISASTER, pg. 4

to force the school board to change the names, he said the local NAACP chapter filed a lawsuit. “Four days ago, the see RALLIES, pg. 4

County presenting 9/11 Memorial program

Disaster preparedness workshop to be held Sept. 7 at courthouse HANOVER -- A Disaster Preparedness Workshop will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, in the Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting room at Hanover Courthouse. The “Plan Safe” workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around noon. When seconds count, being prepared is critical. Your household may not be together in an emergency, so it is important to plan in advance. Attend this highly interactive, three-hour workshop to learn how to be better prepared as an individual or family. Discussions will include how to make a household plan, build an emergency kit, what

Confederacy and its leadership, which are intertwined with the history of slavery in America and today are used as symbols of racial oppression,” Barnette said. After numerous efforts

Metro Creative Services

The tradition continues! The Mechanicsville Local once again has included bus routes for Hanover County Public Schools. Thanks to the HCPS Transportation Department, we share the routes on pages 23-37.

HANOVER -- The public is invited to Hanover County’s 9/11 Memorial program, which will get underway at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Hanover Courts Complex. Those first responders and civilians who gave their lives serving others on September 11, 2001, will be honored. Guest speakers include: Keith Pressley, representative for Woodmen of the World.

Canova Peterson, chairman of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. Col. David R. Hines, Hanover County Sheriff. Chief Jethro Piland, Hanover County Fire/EMS. Savannah Shaver, LeeDavis High School student, speaking on growing up in a post 9/11 world. The program also will feature the Hanover County see 9/11, pg. 5


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