The first stop on Governor Northam’s shameless “reconciliation tour” wasn an event at Virginia Union University, a historically black school. The event was meant to acknowledge students who protested segregation in Richmond 60 years ago.
While Northam was invited by the school’s administration, the students requested that he not attend, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Student body president Jamon Phenix voiced concerns that Northam was using black institutions and leaders to get gather cover for his KKK photo.
Northam agreed to their request in a letter he sent back to Phenix.
“I appreciate the original invitation of VUU’s administration, but I will abide by the students’ wishes,” Northam wrote. “I accept the Student Government Association’s invitation for future dialogue and honest conversation on issues of race, reconciliation, and equity.”