Demonstrators Protest At Entrance to John Marshall Courthouse
As heavy equipment swarmed in on the Stonewall Jackson statue across town protesters demanding a halt to evictions stormed the entrance to the John Marshall Courts building. The event started out shortly before lunchtime with a group calling themselves The Richmond Tenants Union gathering in the plaza outside the courthouse.
“We cannot allow the violence of eviction to continue. Mass eviction, mass displacement, and gentrification coexist in a feedback loop that harms Black communities.”
Richmond Tenants Union
Initially gathering at the courthouse the group then took to the streets marching to the Governor's mansion several blocks away and then returning for more demonstrations at the courthouse in the afternoon. Around 1 PM two people attempted to stage a sit-in inside the lobby of the courthouse which resulted in Richmond City Sheriff's Deputies taking them into custody.
While deputies wrestled with the individuals inside the courthouse demonstrators outside attempted to force their way into the complex chanting "let them go!" In the chaos caused by the crowd deputies deployed pepper spray to disperse the swarming demonstrators from the courthouse doors.
Tensions escalated and demonstrators retaliated by throwing water bottles at the sheriff's deputies and some vandals then hurled bricks at the large plate glass windows of the courthouse lobby. One woman was observed kicking out the large glass windows before launching a brick at another pane of glass.
As a result of the destructive incident and disruption in the lobby the General District Courts & Circuit Courts closed for the remainder of the day.
Richmond Police are seeking a suspect in the destruction of the courthouse windows.
Read More:
Mostly Peaceful Event: Generally A Peaceful Demonstration With Minor Disruptions