Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civil Rights Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spotsylvania supervisors unanimously condemn racism after citizens describe violent incidents
Summary
Following public testimony about alleged racially motivated incidents, the Board of Supervisors voted 7‑0 to adopt a statement denouncing racism and pledged coordination with prosecutors; the Commonwealth Attorney said prosecutions are underway for several incidents.
Spotsylvania County’s Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 unanimously adopted a statement condemning racism after extended public comment that highlighted recent incidents residents said were racially motivated.
Moe Pettway, president of the Spotsylvania NAACP, told the board he had compiled a list of recent episodes — including firearm brandishing and racialized verbal abuse — and asked the supervisors to publicly denounce such behavior. "I ask you as a board of supervisors to publicly say that that type of behavior is not tolerated in our county," Pettway said during the public presentation period.
Ryan Mahaffey, the county’s Commonwealth Attorney, addressed the board at the meeting and said prosecutors have pursued violent, racially motivated crimes and would continue to do so. "Crimes based on violence that are racially motivated will be and have been vigorously prosecuted in Spotsylvania County," Mahaffey said, citing cases in which charges were prosecuted and noting a conviction in one high‑profile matter.
Board members discussed prior collaborative efforts with community leaders and said they supported a renewed public stance. Several supervisors noted past work with pastors and community organizations and asked staff to consider re‑establishing outreach efforts and recurring forums.
The board’s vote to adopt the statement was unanimous. Supervisors directed staff to coordinate with law enforcement and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office on public messaging and to consider periodic reports on hate‑crime classification and prosecution outcomes.
The motion and subsequent instructions do not substitute for individual criminal investigations; the Commonwealth Attorney reiterated that criminal charging and sentencing are determined in court proceedings.
