Charlottesville, Va.—On Saturday afternoon, the State Governing Board of Virginia Organizing called on Governor Ralph Northam to resign immediately following the release of a racist photograph in his medical school yearbook.
Virginia Organizing Chairperson Del McWhorter released the following statement:
“We believe in the ability of people to grow and change. We have seen it countless times in our Dismantling Racism Workshops and in the relationships we have built across the state. After considering Gov. Northam’s actions and apologies, we believe the reflection and internal work to make that change possible is best done as a private citizen and not in the state’s highest office. Gov. Northam should resign.
“While we have counted Gov. Northam as an ally and champion on many of the pressing issues facing Virginia, Gov. Northam owes us more than inadequate apologies. He owes us action. Gov. Northam should take a step back from trying to save his political career, spend time learning from the people of color his actions have hurt, and make clear how he will grow and change from this experience.
“Virginia has a long history of systemic racism—history that reveals itself still today in our systems, institutions, and laws. As a statewide non-partisan grassroots organization, we will continue the important work of deep organizing for racial justice—bringing people together to build a more just Virginia.”
To schedule an interview with Del McWhorter, please contact Nik Belanger at 434-709-4953 or nik.belanger@virginia-
