Ralph Northam (D) canceled his planned visit to Richmond’s Virginia Union University this week — the first stop on his so-called racial reconciliation tour — after being urged by students at the historically black college to reschedule. Elizabeth Johnson Rice told The Washington Post that she was “appalled” by Phenix’s rebuffing of the governor and said he did not consult the Richmond 34 before contacting Northam. Rice, who said she was representing the views of several other members of the Richmond 34, reportedly penned her own letter to Northam, asking him to attend the Virginia Union event despite the students’ misgivings. In a Wednesday tweet, Northam said he would “respect the wishes” of Virginia Union’s student body and not visit the university this week. In lieu of my attendance, I will host the Richmond 34 at the Executive Mansion on Friday to honor their bravery and courage.

Source: Huffington Post February 21, 2019 11:26 UTC