We’d like to honor the memory of Eldridge “Skeete” Smith, a longtime valued member of our community who was lost to gun violence last Saturday night.- Juandiego Wade: “I was hurt to the core when I heard that my dear young brother, Eldridge, went home to the Lord. He was part of our fraternity’s mentoring program for almost 10 years. Big L was like a son to me. We did countless trips, mission assignments, tours together over the years. He was a phenomenal athlete and friend. I will work with a heavy heart to address gun violence in our community.”
- Wes Bellamy: “Rest in power to my brother, body guard, and overall just great guy Eldridge Smith….Gun violence is taking our brothers out in ways that are unimaginable. We owe it to our people, our children, our families, and ourselves to think twice before we act.”
Mr. Smith was an active member of the B.U.C.K. Squad, a local grassroots organization that’s working hard to reduce this very violence in our community.
Consider contributing to a fund being set up for the benefit of Mr. Smith’s family (details not yet set), making a contribution now to the B.U.C.K. Squad itself, boosting them on social media (Facebook and Instagram), or volunteering a few hours to assist them or other gun violence prevention groups in their valuable work.
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center continues to be harassed by Confederate-sympathizing plaintiffs suing it to try to further delay the Swords into Plowshares repurposing of the Lee statue into inclusive art (an already City Council-approved project). Please join us on Monday, January 9 at 3pm at Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 E High St., to show our support for Dr. Andrea Douglas and the JSAAHC as she answers some questions in advance of the trial.
