Dr. Kesho Scott speaks in Washington's Central Park about racial injustice.

A grassroots organization has collected over 300 signatures and presented a non-binding petition to the Washington City Council asking for an apology, racial sensitivity training, and the resignation of two council members. The organization is called Washington for Justice and member Meredith Henderson explains where the request originated, “Started really with a conversation between myself and two other women in our community due to a concern over some racist comments that were made by two members of the city council in regards to a motion asking the council to approve a Black Lives Matter speaker to come to Washington, Dr. Kesho Scott. We don’t have a political affiliation, we’re not a political group. We’re a group that believes in equal rights for all people. We don’t believe that’s a political issue, but a matter of absolute necessity. One of our goals is to create a more inclusive community by confronting racism.”

Since the initial remarks, multiple members of the public have spoken at Washington City Council meetings, some in support of Steve Gault and Fran Stigers, and others denouncing their remarks. Each has said they are not racist and that they stand by their previous comments. (For the original story click here.)

Henderson says the group’s work is now shifting toward community education and efforts for anti-racism, “It’s not enough to just say you’re not racist. We must be anti-racist. So, to explain that a little bit, I’d like to quote Georgetown African American Studies Professor Robert J. Patterson, he says, ‘Anti-racism is an active and conscious effort to work against multi-dimensional aspects of racism.’ He adds that, ‘We need to collectively shift our thinking of racism as conscious, intentional, overt actions to unconscious, covert, and unintentional actions.’ So, that means that we need to think of that not only on the individual level but on the institutional level.”

A virtual town hall will be held later this month by Washington for Justice. Henderson said it will be a time to learn more about Washington for Justice, community discussion, and a place for people who want to be involved to get more information. The town hall meeting will be held September 28th at 7 p.m. – click here for the Zoom meeting.