Northam at Jamestown: Virginia's story rooted in "simultaneous pursuit of liberty and enslavement"

[mahatmakanejeeves]

I'll add to this during the day.

Gov. Northam at Jamestown event: Virginia's story rooted in 'simultaneous pursuit of liberty and enslavement'

BY MICHAEL MARTZ Richmond Times-Dispatch 1 hr ago

JAMESTOWN — Standing at the place where the first representative assembly in the New World met 400 years ago, Gov. Ralph Northam called for “a full accounting” of the history of enslavement and disenfranchisement that accompanied the democracy founded here.

Northam, speaking in a memorial church built on the foundation of the building that housed the first meeting of the House of Burgesses, reminded a small but distinguished audience, “We have to remember who it included and who it did not.”

Among those who were not included were the first “stolen Africans” who arrived weeks later and were sold into enslavement here, he said. “The story of Virginia was rooted in the simultaneous pursuit of liberty and enslavement.”
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Tuesday's commemoration in Jamestown: Here's a schedule of Trump's appearance and alternative events

By MEL LEONOR Richmond Times-Dispatch 17 hrs ago

Virginia lawmakers, joined by President Donald Trump, will mark the 400th anniversary of representative democracy in the Western Hemisphere with a lineup of events in Jamestown on Tuesday.

The events will mark the anniversary of the first legislative gathering in North America, which took place in July 1619 in Jamestown, and brought together representatives from the various settlements in the Colony of Virginia.

In Richmond, a separate group of lawmakers, displeased with Trump’s visit, is expected to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans to North American shores, which also took place in the summer of 1619.

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7:30 to 9 a.m.: Gov. Ralph Northam, select members of the General Assembly and others hold a commemorative session on the site of the first representative assembly in Virginia.

Historic Jamestowne, Memorial Church, 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown

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9:00 a.m.: Wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate deceased black legislators, hosted by the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, state Capitol, Richmond

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10 a.m. to noon: The Virginia General Assembly holds a Joint Commemorative Session at the Jamestown Settlement, with a keynote address from President Donald Trump.

Jamestown Settlement, 2110 Jamestown Road, state Route 31 south, Williamsburg


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10:30 a.m.: Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney; Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond; House Democratic Caucus Chair Charniele Herring of Alexandria; and other black leaders in the General Assembly and City Council skip the Jamestown events to commemorate the arrival of captive Africans in 1619 with an event in Richmond.

Lumpkin’s Jail site, 15th and Franklin streets, Richmo
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[Yonnie3]

1. More on the event

Other coverage ...

https://www.dailypress.com/government/dp-nws-jamestown-events-trump-politics-20190730-story.html

Some snips from the article:

Northam’s message comes in stark contrast to the rhetoric of the man who will soon follow him on stage: President Donald Trump, who recently told a group of U.S. congresswomen who are American citizens to “go back” to the countries they came from.

Northam won’t attend the president’s speech at 11 a.m., according to the governor’s press secretary.

Also absent from the events today is the entire Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, which announced yesterday its members were boycotting.

Just before 10 a.m., Trump tweeted from Air Force One, “Heading to Jamestown, Virginia. Word is the Democrats will make it as uncomfortable as possible, but that’s ok because today is not about them!”

I hung out there a lot when I was a youngster. It will be hot and humid there. The mosquitoes are legendary. I guess we now control the weather.

[Yonnie3]

2. From Virginia 511

VA-31 at Jamestown Scotland Ferry
Description:
On VA-31 (Jamestown Scotland Ferry) in the County of James City, motorists can expect potential delays in this area from 07/30/19 at 10:00 AM until 07/30/19 at 1:00 PM due to a special event. All north lanes are closed. All south lanes are closed.
The Jamestown Scotland Ferry will be closed on Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM due to a special event. The last ferry headed to Jamestown will be at 9:00 AM and the last ferry leaving Jamestown will be at 9:30 AM.
Last updated:
Tue 07/30/2019 9:54 AM EDT

Seems a bit extreme. I guess they have closed VA-31. Don't know if T'Rump arrives by limo or helicopter.

[Yonnie3]

3. I just realized that the event is not at Jamestown.

It's at what was called Jamestown Festival Park. This was a tourist attraction run by a private foundation and the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was much panned as being incorrect in its rendition of the structures and life of the colony. My father worked on the actual island preserving artifacts for the National Park Service and much of the negatives I heard came from his peers. I believe that gradually the stereotypes were corrected, and a major update was made in 2007.