MEDIA CONTACTS:

LAUREN GWALEY, PRESERVATION VIRGINIA, 804-648-1889, LGWALEY@PRESERVATIONVIRGINIA.ORG
ERICA STEWART, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, 202-207-6795; ESTEWART@SAVINGPLACES.ORG

What: Advocates will gather at the women’s and men’s elite bike races this weekend to urge Mayor Jones to expressly drop his plan to build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom and instead support the community generated nine-acre memorial park, which builds on the Slave Trail Commission’s work. As Richmond enjoys this global spotlight, and our national debate over slavery’s legacy intensifies, supporters will make the case that Richmond should be at the forefront of preserving and interpreting a site as significant as Shockoe Bottom.

The public is asked to send this message to Mayor Jones at savingplaces.org/Shockoe.

When: The women’s elite road circuit race is Saturday, Sept. 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. and the men’s elite road circuit race is on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.

Where: Throughout both races, supporters will meet at John Marshall House (N. 9th Street and E. Marshall Street) where they will receive a colorful hand fan to show their support for saving Shockoe.

Who: Rob Nieweg, attorney and Washington field office director, Elizabeth Kostelny, executive director, Preservation Virginia, and Ana Edwards, Defenders of Freedom, Justice & Equality are available for media interviews.

About Preservation Virginia

Preservation Virginia, a private, non-profit organization and statewide historic preservation leader founded in 1889, is dedicated to perpetuating and revitalizing Virginia's cultural, architectural and historic heritage, thereby ensuring that historic places are integral parts of the lives of present and future generations. Learn more at preservationvirginia.org.