Today marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of democracy in America. A huge celebration is planned in Jamestown, Virginia but members of the state’s Black Legislative Caucus will not be in attendance. They are boycotting today’s event  because President Trump has been asked to speak and they feel his appearance will tarnish the event.

Today’s activities highlight the first legislative body meeting in America. The caucus released a statement on Monday that said Trump continues to make degrading comments toward minority leaders and, “Those who have chosen to attend and remain silent are complicit in the atrocities that he incites.”

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is due to kick off the day-long event at Jamestown Island at 7:30 a.m. His office said he did not have plans to be present for President Trumps 11 a.m. speech. Attorney General Mark Herring is also slated to attend. Both politicians are Democrats and have been linked to blackface incidents in their past.

Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax sees things differently. He has stated that he plans to attend to honor his ancestors who were slaves in the state. He said his election to office making him the second African American to hold a state office shows change and he is not willing to allow anyone to stop the state of Virginia from moving forward with helping the commonwealth to continue its efforts to blend contributions.

Black lawmakers have set up alternative activities for supporters to take part in. One includes the wreath-laying at the State Capitol in Richmond and a site visit of a notorious slave jail. Black leaders want to focus on those who helped fight for equal and inclusive democracy. The observation of the arrival of the first African to the colony will take place at Fort Monroe.

Today celebration marks on July 30, 1619, when its owners in England gave the colonist the right to pick two representatives from each of the 11 settlement areas to help govern them.

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