APRIL 2025 Edition
Deconstructing the Gaze
When Joseph McCoy was lynched by a mob in Alexandria on April 23, 1897, the African American communities in Alexandria City, County, Washington, D.C. and the region experienced terror followed swiftly by indignation at the failure of officials to enforce the rule of law. No one captures and amplifies their ire more than John Mitchell, Jr., the editor of the Richmond Planet.
The Richmond-based African American paper was founded in 1882 by 13 enterprising men, who had previously been enslaved. Two years later, Michell, who was then 21, became editor of the weekly. Mitchell was born enslaved in the hottest month of a Richmond summer, on the grounds of Laburnum Plantation, in the midst of the Civil War. He came into the world one week after the twin victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg shifted momentum toward the United States and forced Robert E. Lee and his battered, demoralized men to retreat. Growing up, he witnessed the Black community organizing, running for and holding office, writing the state constitution, and serving in the new legislature. As he became a man, he would have seen the promise of equality slip further and further away. Under his editorship, the Planet was unwavering in its crusade for equal justice, speaking out against unfair trials, brutal prisons, lynchings, and segregation. Mitchell won national attention and garnered local sway. The Richmond Planet was read by the Governor and lawmakers alike.
Joseph McCoy was lynched in the first hours of Friday, April 23, too late to make it into the columns of the Richmond Planet’s April 25 edition. But the next week, it was front page news with a detailed story about the lynching that first ran in the Washington Post. On the next page, where commentary lived, Mitchell took on Alexandria’s white community, giving breath to the unexpressed “righteous indignation” of the African American community.
The Lynching At Alexandria
Almost within the shadow of the capitol at Washington, within a few minutes ride of the official residence of the President of the United States and the halls of Congress, with Virginia militia as spectators, and the United States troops a few steps away, a murderous mob, composed of men who knew better on Friday, April 23, 1897, took from the station-house at Alexandria, Va., the crouching trembling form of Joseph McCoy and hanged him to a lamp-post.
This act was in violation of the laws of Virginia and the statutes of the United States. It was murder pure and simple and as it was premeditated, executed with precision, it was murder of the first degree.
Every citizen, white or black, young or old who took part in this disgraceful proceedings is guilty of as heinous a crime as the one with which McCoy stood charged.
It lessens his responsibility, even if proved to be true in as much as it goes to show that the murdered youth was a product of the community in which he lived, the majority of which stood ready to commit any crime including murder.
The damage to the city of Alexandria is incalculable, in that it places that community before the world as a city of lawlessness, where officials disregard their oaths of office and without warrant or excuse suspend the law.
What must be thought of a people who would elect such material to office? It shows that the city government is rotten to the core.
The crime with which McCoy stood charged forms no part of the contention. No law-abiding citizen would hesitate in the performance of the duty to see laws executed. If the prisoner were guilty, there were men in Alexandria to see that he was legally punished.
It was thought that the colored youth had violated one of the statutes; it is known that certain persons have been guilty of the same crime.
The Mayor of the city bid the guilty go free. The militia was not called upon and the officers of the commonwealth defied. The state which objected to Federal interference and refused to call upon the President for United States troops now finds within its confines a city which is pursuing the same policy.
Gov. O’Ferrall deprecates the outrage. He is sworn to “take care that the laws are faithfully executed.” The Mayor of Alexandria has disregarded his sworn obligation. The lawless elements have trampled upon the statutes of the commonwealth. His Excellency knows of these facts. What steps will he take on the premises? What investigation of the circumstances will he institute? Will a reward be offered for the murderers? Will the guilty parties be arraigned before a court of law, where the stigma placed upon them by the better class of citizens can rest, and the guilty ones pointed out?
The eyes of the world are upon our Governor. The proximity of the outrage to Washington has attracted national attention. What will be done about it? Our Governor is courageous. He is fearless in the performance of a duty. The way is plain. What will the answer be?
Upcoming Events
In Remembrance of Joseph McCoy
“Between History and Hope,” By Robert P. Jones
Wednesday, April 23
6 p.m.
Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church
606 South Washington Street
Free
In Remembrance of Joseph McCoy, join the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, the home church for the McCoy family, to hear an address by leading scholar Robert P. Jones. The New York Times Best Selling author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future, President of the Public Religion Research Institute, and now a banned author for his book White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, Jones’ remarks will focus on the place we now find ourselves, “Between History and Hope.” We also look forward to hearing from Mayor Alyia Gaskins at this city-wide recognition and remembrance of the 1897 lynching of Alexandria native Joseph McCoy. Remarks will be followed by a book signing in the Fellowship Hall. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Please note: Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church does not have a parking lot. Parking is available on side streets and behind Demaine Funeral Home on the corner of Gibbon and Washington Street.
Remembrance Activity: Sites of Reflection
April 16-27, 2025
City Hall and Cameron and Lee Streets
Free
Visit the old police station doors on the Fairfax Street side (100 N. Fairfax) of City Hall and listen to the story of the night Joseph McCoy was taken from a cell in the building. Then walk to the corner of Cameron and Lee Streets to hear the rest of the story and reflect on what society is capable of when the rule of law is ignored and people give in to fear. (Cellphones are needed, hover over the QR code to access two short audio recordings.)
Meaningful Conversations: The Struggle Experienced by Afghan Women in Alexandria, Dr. Susan Aryan Antolin
Thursday, April 17, 2025
7 p.m.
Alexandria Black History Museum
Free
The meaningful conversations explore and celebrate the diversity of cultures and peoples in our area, address the attitudes and behaviors that still divide us, and seek remedies grounded in the recognition that we are one interconnected, interdependent human family. Join us to hear from Dr. Susan Aryan Antolin, Executive Director of Women for Afghan Women, a grassroots civil society organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan and the United States. WAW’s Virginia Community Center in Alexandria provides vital aid to Afghan families.
Upcoming Committee Meetings
The Steering Committee of the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project will meet on Thurs., May 14, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at Alexandria Black History Museum.
The Schools & Libraries Action Committee will meet for the last time this year on Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Alexandria Black History Museum.
Committee Meeting Reports
The Schools & Libraries Action Committee met on Mar. 26 to review and discuss the expected impact of the demise of the Institute for Museums and Library Services on Alexandria’s schools, libraries, and museums.
ACRP’s Faith Initiative held a clergy coffee on Apr. 4 and an Affirmation Statement was finalized and is now circulating among the clergy who participated in drafting the statement.
Alexandria Community Remembrance Project
The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) is a city-wide initiative dedicated to helping Alexandria understand its history of racial terror hate crimes and to work toward creating a welcoming community bound by equity and inclusion.
In Memoriam
Write "ACRP" in Comments on the donation form.
Office of Historic Alexandria
City of Alexandria, Virginia
ACRP@alexandriava.gov