VaFlagger's video: Citizen offers Proclamation to rid Charlottesville of the foul legacy of Thomas Jefferson

"WHEREAS the City of Charlottesville was founded by Thomas Jefferson, a scoundrel of the most unsavory variety, indeed, a slave rapist, and INSOMUCH AS the evils of racism, began during his time, continue unabated to afflict the City of Charlottesville to this day, BE IT SO RESOLVED that from this day henceforth, no longer shall the City of Charlottesville celebrate racist Confederate war criminals, but shall instead honor the memories of Nat Turner and John Brown, in hopes that one day, we shall be rid of the foul legacy of Thomas Jefferson." Remarks of Charlottesville resident at the February 2, 2015 City Council meeting, where a public hearing was held to discuss City Council's proposal to strike the Lee-Jackson holiday from the City Calendar. Just over a dozen of us, from several different parts of the state, arrived early, signed up to speak and took our seats. What we witnessed in council chambers, almost as soon as the meeting opened was, in all honesty, shocking, and if I had not been there, would have had a hard time believing took place. Mayor Huja opened by asking for attendees to respect all speakers and not interrupt them. He may as well have been talking to the brick walls. The first 12 speakers were allowed to speak on any topic. The majority who spoke were Charlottesville residents, and a circus like atmosphere quickly ensued, with members of the audience constantly shouting and talking over speakers, council members, and the Mayor, who occasionally attempted to restore order, to no avail. The speakers themselves accused council members and the city of everything from criminal activity to overt racism and oppression at every level of government and public service. As one can imagine, when it came time for the public hearing on the Lee-Jackson question, the crowd was already worked into a frenzy, and it intensified when the first speaker, an elderly Charlottesville resident, rose to speak against removing the holiday. He was heckled and interrupted over and over. Although many who watched the proceedings on live video stream told us afterward that they could hear commotion but not make out exactly what was going on, each speaker who spoke in favor of the Lee-Jackson holiday was subject to this ill-mannered and rude behavior, in varying degrees. What we witnessed that night was a good exhibit of the danger of democracy devolving into mob rule. John Randolph of Roanoke said “anarchy is the chrysalis-state of despotism.” I see no greater example than the striking of a holiday to honor two men who faithfully and honorably served God and Country, in a futile attempt to appease and propitiate a handful of vocal agitators.