A very emotional, educational, and passionate Danville City Council meeting Tuesday night as the Seven Plaintiffs, who filed suit in 1987 to change Danville to an aldermanic form of government and succeeded, were honored. The council chambers was absolutely packed for this event. The three plaintiffs no longer with us had family members speak for them: Albert Derrickson, Eugene “Radio” Thompson, and Frank Abram. But Bashir Ali, Reverend R. J. Davis, Nate Cunningham and Wence Cunningham, Jr were able to speak. From Reverend Davis’ passionate sermon about what needs to be done now to Bashir Ali’s very calm speech putting things in perspective, the night had everything. Afterwards, Nate Cunningham, who once coached Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr; said it’s important to reflect on this moment and move on now as one city, not as divided races.
The four surviving “Seven Plaintiffs” pose after Tuesday’s Danville City Council meeting: (L to R) Wence Cunningham, Jr, Reverend R.J. Davis, Nate Cunningham, and Bashir Ali.
AUDIO: All too often, we get involved in talking about white and black. I had a white man that made sure that I had a place to work all the way through high school. Yes, we have bad people. Yes, we have people in powerful positions who are doing things. But we’ve got to get back to love, and understanding, and help.
Wence Cunningham Jr, living in Florida and retired from a career in public housing, said there are lots of improvements needed in Danville. And the first thing needed is for citizens to take the form of government he and the other plaintiffs faught for and USE IT. Come to Council meetings, communicate with the mayor.
AUDIO: Right, use it. Stop ignoring it. It is working well. It’s just that not enough people have made it okay to support your council. It’s just there’s a lot of people in Danville who didn’t what it to be successful. It has succeeded in spite of all that, yes.
Nate Cunningham and Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr share a moment during Cunningham’s address to the audience during Tuesday night’s honoring of the Seven Plaintiffs.
For mayor Rickey Williams, Jr, it was a very emotional night, and he was not afraid to show it, remembering the sacrifices the plaintiffs made, and the threats they even received.
AUDIO: Like I said, without these men, and what they did, and them taking a stand, there was no chance for a Mayor Williams. So that’s very humbling, and very encouraging too.
Current Danville Councilman Robert Williams summarized it all by saying, let’s take this special moment, move forward, and get people back to Danville.
AUDIO: It’s a tremendous setting, and Danville needed this. Maybe that will give us a boost to get things on the right track now. Because Danville has been world leaders in industries and that type of thing. We need to get back, and get these people back to Danville.
A picture of all seven plaintiffs dressed in their finest will now be on display at Danville City Hall.
IN DANVILLE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS, the public works projects reported on after the recent Public Works Committee meeting were all passed Tuesday night. This included the $1.7 million study for specific areas of the local sewer system, a study for needs at local fire stations and the North Walnut Street parking garage, and the $49.000 study of the Ellsworth Park lift station.
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