NEWS RELEASE
Delegate Cia Price championed a bill that removes
racist Jim Crow-era language from the Virginia code
Celebration Luncheon: April 29, in Newport News
In the year marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans to be sold into slavery in North America, we celebrate a legislative victory that removes racist language from Virginia’s Minimum Wage Code.
Introduced by Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price (D-95th), HB 2473 removes Jim Crow-era language from Virginia’s Minimum Wage Act. The racist language in the code stipulated that “newsboys, shoe-shine boys, ushers, doormen, concession attendants, and cashiers in theaters” would be exempt from Virginia’s minimum wage requirements. These professions, historically held by African-Americans, deserve to be paid at least minimum wage.
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy partnered with Del. Price to build support with constituents and legislators and help pass this bill, which was signed by Governor Northam on March 12, 2019.
Benjamin Hoyne, Policy Director for the Virginia Interfaith Center said, “We are grateful for Delegate Price’s leadership on this important and symbolic legislation. This bill removes government-sanctioned discrimination based on someone’s job title. This is a great victory for workers in our Commonwealth.”
Join us at a luncheon to celebrate Legislative Champion,
Delegate Cia Price
Date: April 29, 12-1:30PM
First Church of Newport News (Baptist)
2300 Wickham Ave., Newport News, VA
MEDIA CONTACT
Roberta Oster
Communications Director
804-615-4192
roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, social, and environmental justice
in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action.