Article Text
Arlington County leaders apologized for the destruction of a historically Black neighborhood and adopted measures supporting LGBTQIA+ people and immigrant communities during a packed May 13 board meeting.
The crowded boardroom reflected the range of issues before the County Board. LGBTQIA+ supporters carried rainbow flags, tree advocates wore green, and Moms Demand Action activists dressed in red. The meeting also included proclamations concerning mental health, gun violence awareness, biking, public works, peace officers and Arlington’s sister-city relationships.
Board Chair Takis Karantonis opened the meeting by emphasizing Arlington’s civic fabric and the connections among the communities being recognized.
County Apologizes to Queen City Survivor
Lorin Farris and John McNair presented the Historic Preservation Program’s work commemorating Queen City, a Black Arlington neighborhood destroyed in 1942 to provide road access to the Pentagon.
The federal government evicted residents on short notice and demolished their homes. Arlington County did not advocate for the neighborhood or the roughly 300 affected families, many of whom were direct descendants of enslaved people.
Karantonis apologized to William Vollin, 94, identified as Queen City’s last living former resident. He described the neighborhood’s destruction as “cruel and unconscionable” and acknowledged Arlington’s history of slavery, racial injustice and exploitation.
Despite losing his community, Vollin later became an Arlington teacher and principal. Karantonis said the county now asks four questions when considering development: “Who benefits? Who loses? How do we know? What do we do about it?”
Vollin called Queen City’s destruction an atrocity. He said officials invoked eminent domain even though, in his view, the project did not benefit his community.
Board Affirms LGBTQIA+ and Immigrant Protections
The board also adopted a resolution supporting WorldPride 2025 and Arlington’s LGBTQIA+ community. Maureen Coffey presented the measure, highlighting LGBTQIA+ residents’ contributions to Arlington, Virginia and the country.
Kellen MacBeth and April Gain of Equality Arlington thanked the board for reaffirming its support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, intersectional and asexual people and their families. The resolution restated the county’s commitment to being welcoming and inclusive.
On a motion by Karantonis, seconded by Julius D. “JD” Spain Sr., the board approved revisions to Arlington’s “Commitment to Strengthening Trust with our Immigrant Communities.”
The revised commitment describes Arlington’s ethnic, racial and linguistic diversity as a source of strength. It pledges to protect residents’ rights regardless of immigration or citizenship status and to provide access to county benefits and services without fear that personal information or actual or perceived immigration status will be disclosed to federal immigration authorities.
The measure also states that enforcing federal immigration law is not an appropriate use of county resources and that Arlington will restrict the sharing of personally identifiable information that could further immigration enforcement.
Mental Health and Gun Violence Recognized
Christie Dondero Bettwy, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, received a copy of the county’s Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation. Board member Spain noted the organization’s work with the county to reduce stigma surrounding mental health concerns.
Spain also issued a proclamation recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day. He cited figures stating that gun violence kills 125 people and wounds more than 260 others in the United States each day, with annual averages exceeding 19,000 gun homicides and 28,000 gun suicides.
Board member Susan Cunningham proclaimed May as Bike to Work Month and encouraged residents to obtain red Bike to Work shirts.
Board member Matt de Ferranti recognized Arlington’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community, which accounts for nearly 10.9% of the county’s population. He also noted the recent installation of a Clarendon sign commemorating “Little Saigon,” the Vietnamese business district that flourished there for years after the Vietnam War before upscale development transformed the area.