Opinion: Column: Mourning, Afternoon and Evening
We had to euthanize Biscuit, our oldest cat, on Saturday, June 20th. He would have been 14 on September 20th.
Marijuana Decriminalized July 1 in Virginia
Will decriminalization of marijuana stop inequitable treatment for communities of color?
Who is more likely to be charged, asked Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw. An executive of a defense contractor smoking marijuana on his deck overlooking woods in Clifton or Great Falls, or the Black teen or young adult walking down Route One in Mount Vernon, or on a street in the Annandale or Culmore sections of Fairfax County?
Using Holistic Practices
How Yoga and Meditation can help ease anxiety over racial injustice.
Before the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent stay-at-home orders, Kesha Davis’s weekday evening routine included picking up her fifteen-year-old son at a bus stop in Old Town Alexandria.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: A Different Way of Looking at the Data
The Gazette reports that “African Americans are often targets of strong-arm tactics” by the Alexandria Police Department, and that disproportionate growth of the Department’s budget over the last 20 years has “led many to question the allocation of public resources.” (“Disproportionate Use of Force”, June 11, 2020.)
Engin Artemel Dies at 81
Former Alexandria Director of Planning spearheaded waterfront development.
The story is one of family legend. When Engin Artemel first arrived in the United States from Istanbul, Turkey, he had $20 in his pocket and virtually no English in his vocabulary.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Black Lives Matter
The people of our nation are being attacked by the very system that is required by law to help them, serve them, and protect them from crimes against them.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Terminate Local Agreements with Park Police
As you know, on Monday, June 1, 2020, the United States Park Police (USPP) used tear gas on citizens at Lafayette Square who were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights prior to any curfew.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: It’s Time to Rename Pickett Street
In 1953, the Alexandria City Council renamed more than 30 streets for Confederate military leaders after it annexed a portion of Fairfax County.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Police End Barricade Peacefully
On June 4, police were alerted to a person in distress in an apartment building in Potomac Yard that ended without incident thanks to a professional, measured, well-trained response from the officers of the Alexandria Police and Sheriff’s Departments, as well as assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Removal of Statue Denies City’s History
I am writing to comment on the removal of the iconic Confederate Soldier statue at the intersection of South Washington Street and Prince Street in Old Town, Alexandria.
Alexandria City Council Prohibits Firearms on City Property
Following a public hearing June 20, the Alexandria City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance prohibiting firearms and ammunition in City facilities, parks and areas requiring special event permits.
Black, Male and Arrested in Alexandria
Alexandria’s war on drugs hits black males hardest.
According to the Alexandria Police Department, 64 percent of people arrested in Alexandria for drug arrests last year were African American. Almost half of those arrests were Black males.
Appetite: On the Menu: Goings-On in Alexandria Restaurants
From permanent restaurant closures to a focus on private parties to wholesalers becoming direct-to-consumer distributors, the pandemic has brought with it quite a few changes to the area’s food-and-drink landscape.
Opinion: Commentary: Terminate Memoranda of Understanding with US Park Police
As you know, on Monday, June 1, 2020, the United States Park Police (USPP) used tear gas on citizens at Lafayette Square who were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights prior to any curfew.
Opinion: Column: Masking My True Feelings
For those of us living in states where mask-wearing is mostly mandatory (indoors: yes, outdoors: not nearly as much), it is very easy to hide one's emotions.
Seniors Join Protests for Racial Injustice
Remembering the past to inform the future.
Long before there was a Black Lives Matter movement and smart phones that captured police brutality on video, and long before throngs of people filled streets around the world to protest racial injustice, there were smaller crowds of pioneers fighting to tear down barriers imposed by Jim Crow laws.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Oppose Prohibition of Firearms on City Property
To the members of the Alexandria City Council: As a gun owner with a Concealed Handgun Permit (“CHP”) and native of Alexandria, I believe that your proposed anti-gun ordinance will infringe upon my freedoms.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Reconsider What We Expect Police To Do
The article by Michael Lee Pope, “Disproportionate Use of Force” (June 11, 2020), was most disturbing. I was angered by the story of the white police officer’s harassment of a black Alexandria citizen who was simply doing his job.
Feeding the Fight in Alexandria
Friendship Firehouse wraps up food delivery.
Members of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association wrapped up a 6-week period of delivering over 600 meals to Alexandria firefighters with a donation of lunches June 5 from Foster’s Grille.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Help Struggling Businesses
For several months now, I have noticed the increasing number of empty storefronts downtown. King Street, Washington Street, Pitt Street -- all have “For Rent” signs now. Most recently, Walgreens on King Street closed on March 5.