Governor McDonnell’s Proclamation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 8, 2010
Contact: Julie Turner, 2^nd Chair Ways and Means
540 364-6240 home
202 841-9117 office / cell
jturnerdcc@verizon.net

THE VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS

Statement regarding Governor McDonnell’s Proclamation declaring April as Confederate History Month

The Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus condemns Governor Robert McDonnell’s proclamation honoring confederate history. We are outraged by the historical inaccuracy and the exclusion of slavery in an official government manuscript. The women of the Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus believe this Proclamation and the Governor’s defense of it, is an insult to people of color and an attempt to disregard the sacrifice and struggles of the events leading to Civil Rights. No last minute apology will make up for the pain caused by this error. This Proclamation attempts to dismantle a collective admission of the many atrocities of slavery and perpetuates the myths that the Civil War was a just and noble cause. We believe Governor McDonnell is pandering to the interests of a narrow but excessively loud group of right wing extremists rather than the combined well-being of all Virginians. Once elected Governor, Robert McDonnell represents all the people not just a segment of the population who share his incorrect opinion of Virginia history. We encourage Governor McDonnell to stop glorifying errors of the past and try to lead the Commonwealth into an equitable future.

• Rachel Rifkind, Chair, Fairfax County
• Linda Brooks, 1^st Vice Chair, Newport News
• Julie Turner, 2^nd Chair, Ways and Means, Fauquier County
• Maureen Markham, 3^rd Chair, Arlington
• Mattie Urquhart, Treasurer

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