RICHMOND, Va. – Former Richmond City Councilman Sa’ad El-Amin has cried “foul” regarding any baseball stadium construction in Shockoe Bottom, historically the site of one of America’s most lucrative slave markets.
RICHMOND, Va. – Former Richmond City Councilman Sa’ad El-Amin has cried “foul” regarding any baseball stadium construction in Shockoe Bottom, historically the site of one of America’s most lucrative slave markets.
Representing the Society for Preservation of African-American History and Antiquities, El-Amin says such a plan would compromise the dignity of African-American history in an area once known as “Devil’s Half Acre” and “Richmond Slave Market.”
Meanwhile, developers of the Shockoe Center project have deferred the $90 million third phase of their plan involving earth-moving west of the Main Street Station shed. Shockoe Center’s third phase, which might disturb the remains of the Lumpkin Slave Jail and Negro Burial Ground – involves the building of a hotel and office tower.
In a letter addressed to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, who is Black, and the rest of City Council, El-Amin wrote: “I feel that this history has not been fully considered or respected by the proponents of the project. The lack of appreciation and concern for the area’s history is troubling to me because it continues the marginalization of African-American history and culture.”
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