PHOTO ESSAY: “RECKONING IN RICHMOND” BY BRIAN PALMER @BXPNYC

Let me be frank, Brian Palmer is The Man! And I mean that in the best way possible. The Peabody Award-winning journalist can do it all. His photos have appeared in the New York Times, Buzzfeed, Narrative.ly; writing in Smithsonian Magazine, the New York Times, and the Nation; and audio on Reveal. He is one of the best storytellers I’ve been able to follow (from afar). It is an honor to have his photo essay on the Cheats Movement. Check out a chronological timeline of Brian’s photos below. Follow Brian via his website and his IG: @bxpnyc. #WESEEIT

31 May 2020—Monument Avenue and downtown, Richmond VA—Richmond for All car rally and demonstration at Reconciliation statue. Grassroots demo at 17th Street Market. Peaceful evening protests at monuments in response to George Floyd killing in Minneapolis and police brutality across the country, culminating in large rally at defaced Robert E. Lee statue. Impromptu march to and through downtown. Richmond Police Department masses and deploys tear gas and pepper spray. Demonstrators disperse.

02 June 2020— City Hall, Richmond VA—Protest on steps of City Hall that began before Mayor Levar Stoney’s scheduled listening session. Richmond Police Department Chief of Police William C. Smith accompanied him. Both attempted the address the rally, with minimal success. Demonstrators march from City Hall to the state Capitol, then down Broad Street to state Supreme Court.

02 June 2020— City Hall, Richmond VA—Protest on steps of City Hall that began before Mayor Levar Stoney’s scheduled listening session. Richmond Police Department Chief of Police William C. Smith accompanied him. Both attempted the address the rally, with minimal success. Demonstrators march from City Hall to the state Capitol, then down Broad Street to state Supreme Court.

04 June 2020— Richmond VA—Protest in the wake of killing by Minneapolis, MN, police of George Floyd beginning in Monroe Park, culminating in face off at Richmond Police Department Fourth Precinct on Chamberlayne Avenue.

27 June 2020—City Hall, Richmond, VA—At an invitation-only press conference, Mayor Levar Stoney announces the appointment of Gerald Smith as Chief of Police. Smith, deputy chief for the Investigative Services Group of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, assumes the position July 1.

30 June 2020—Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA—Studio Two Three staffers and others silk screen cloth items brought by members of the public to Marcus-David Peters Circle (Lee Circle) in the shadow of the Robert E. Lee Monument. Also: basketball.

30 June 2020—Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA—The Robinson family poses at the base of the monument.

01 July 2020—John Marshall Court Building, Richmond, VA—No Eviction rally with speakers from New Virginia Majority and others. Participants march toward the official residence of Governor Ralph Northam. A fence stops their progress.

08 July 2020—Richmond, VA—Crew removes Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument from its plinth in Libby Hill.

9 July 2020—Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA—Studio Two Three staffers and others silk screen cloth items brought by members of the public to Marcus-David Peters Circle (Lee Circle) in the shadow of the Robert E. Lee Monument.