I have posted previously about the local connections of this movie’s story, and now here it is:
Community Movie Night: John Carter
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Category Archives: parks
Beautiful Morning On The North Bank Trail
It was a beautiful morning on the North Bank Trail.
Thanks to JROC and City Parks & Rec for all they do.
Previous Canal Bridge Gone/2015 UCI Road World Cycling Race Looms
The previous canal bridge made from utility poles is now gone.
It is great to see people using the new canal bridge. (Though some jerk did dump a bucket of silver paint on it that had to be pressure washed off it). The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association may eventually throw a party to celebrate the new bridge. After all, its important to remember that it was that organization that secured the funding for it.
At the same time, one wonders how this plays into other riverfront planning. Evidently there are some high level meetings happening regarding Richmond 2015, the organizing committee charged with putting on the UCI Road World Championships.
Richmond 2015 has already come up with a course but will not disclose what it is for now. Officials say they want to work out contingencies before approaching affected communities.
The races will be disruptive to some residents because of road closings and the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the city.
But honestly, what is happening with the proposed ‘2nd Street Connector’? According to sources, C. Wayne Taylor’s questions are STILL waiting on answers from the City’s Economic Development Department.
Captain America!
Community Movie Night
Friday, May 25 at 8:30 pm
Pleasants Park (behind Pine Street Baptist Church)
Refreshments served: grilled hot dogs, chips, and beverage
Belle Island Battle
From today’s Richmond Police Daily Crime Report:
1st Precinct
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
Belle Isle 9:30 p.m.
A group of males reported they were assaulted by a group of males.
I am guessing this was last night?
We Bought A Zoo
No, I am not quoting new Overlook owners- it’s the title of the first movie of the season!
Community Move Night
Friday, May 4
7:00 pm
Pleasants Park
Refreshments served: Grilled hot dogs, chips, and beverage
Special thanks to Rev. Turner and Pine Street Baptist Church!
James River Association Hosts Belle Island Cleanup Friday
From email announcement:
JRA is hosting a trash clean-up on Friday, April 20, from 1-3 p.m. Participants will meet at the gravel parking lot under the train trusses on Tredegar Street in Richmond. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Gloves, grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Pre-registration is required, by noon on Thursday April 19th. To register, please contact Amber Ellis at 804-788-8811 ext 205 or volunteer at jrava.org.
Pedestrian Bridge Over Canal Near Completion
After Painting The Town Green, Check Out The World In Monroe Park
It’s not too late to make plans to join VCU’s Paint The Town Green effort this Saturday morning.
Afterwords, you may think about enjoying the VCU Intercultural Festival, which takes place from 12 noon to 6 pm in Monroe Park.
Given the protest the day before, it is pretty clear that Monroe Park is getting a lot of use. I will just add the editorial comment that it would be good to see its planned renovations funded.
VCU SDS: “Defend Your Right to Peaceful Assembly and Protest”
From a statement for the VCU Students for a Democratic Society:
VCU recently proposed amendments to its student code of conduct. The proposed rules prohibit demonstrations that disrupt the normal functions of the university, but the language is so vague that, if interpreted by a trigger-happy administrator, you could be punished for non-disruptively, peacefully, and legally exercising your First Amendment right to peaceable assembly and protest.
“Demonstrations/riot – Participating in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the University and/or infringes on the rights of others; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area.”
VCU is not alone in this crackdown on active citizens; measures are being taken to criminalize free speech throughout the city and country.
On the 3rd of March, 30 peaceful protesters were arrested by Virginia State Police in riot gear for sitting on the steps of the Virginia Capitol building. They were demonstrating for an end to anti-choice reproductive legislation. In a further attempt to scare citizens away from expressing their First Amendment right to peaceful assembly, the female arrestees were held for nearly nine hours in a paddy wagon and prevented access to restrooms and drinking water.
In Georgia, members of the state legislature unsuccessfully attempted to restrict the right of protesters and union members with SB 469. The bill would have made it a felony to protest near a private business. Imagine being charged with a felony for simply holding a sign!
VCU’s Monroe Park is also significant. Last Spring, several activists were arrested for camping out on the corner of Main and Laurel in protest of City Council’s attempt to gentrify the park and criminalize homelessness. Later in 2011, members of Occupy Richmond were brutalized by Richmond police and denied access to Monroe Park after being forcefully removed from Kanawha Plaza, a camp that passed the City’s sanitation standards.
And so, we, the VCU chapter of Students for a Democratic Society are protesting today to publicly exercise and protect our freedom to peacefully assemble, to stand against the unjust and unprovoked attacks on civil disobedience, and to demand transparency in American society.
**This is an orderly, peaceful demonstration. We are practicing what we are trying to defend. Behavior that is harmful or disruptive to our fellow students or homeless won’t be tolerated.**
There is a Facebook page for a protest this Friday in Monroe Park at 1 pm: