JEPCMARIONVA.org – Justice, Equality, Peace and

Change
Monday, October 26, 2020 
 
D​ENOUNCEMENT​ ​OF​ R​ACISM​ ​BY​ T​OWN​ ​OF​ M​ARION​, VA
Marion, VA: Monumental
progress here comes in
the wake of much turmoil
encountered by the 17yo
founder and chairman,
Travon Brown. Brown is
an activist and victor of a
hate crime in which a
cross was burnt on his
front lawn directly after
he organized the first
Black Lives Matter
demonstration in his
hometown of Marion, VA.
His family is set to
appear in federal court in
February 2021 in pursuit
of justice.
 
 
On October 19, 2020, as a direct result of the tireless and extreme efforts of 17yo 
Travon Brown and the nonprofit he both founded and is Chairman of, The Town of 
Marion, Virginia became the first town in Southwest Virginia to formally denounce 
racism in all its many forms. Directly from the Town of Marion, VA,​ see top left, page 1​.  
 
J.E.P.C. 's hope is to present the declaration to the Virginia General Assembly and 
replicate these types of advancements both state and nationwide. A similar declaration 
is set to be presented to the Bristol, VA town council on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 @ 
6pm. Brown, along with a few members of J.E.P.C., are scheduled to be present for the 
discussion. The Town of Bristol, VA has been in talks with groups such as J.E.P.C. and 
Community Concerned Citizens ​on ideas they think should be implemented in the 
declaration. Community Concerned Citizens is led by Erica Nophlin and Jackie 
Nophlin, both of Bristol, VA. They will also be in attendance of the meeting.  
 
J.E.P.C. has also been working with Tazewell, VA organizations G ​ rassroots Coalition of 
SWVA​, led by Chairwoman Lasandra Thompson, in presenting a declaration to their 
town leaders. Thompson has been advocating for the relocation of the confederate 
statue in front of Tazewell County CourtHouse. The issue will be on the ballot on 
November 3, 2020 for citizens to decide.  
 
 
“There can be no community without working towards the goal of UNITY! Let’s come 
together to combat racism and discrimination out of our communities in SWVA and 
beyond. We don’t expect to change everyone, but we will do what is needed to 
ensure the next generation can live better lives. You live and you learn. As a society, 
let’s not continue making the same mistakes. This is not a black versus white issue. 
This is an everybody versus racism issue. That’s how it should be. Forgive, give grace, 
spread love.” 
- Travon Brown - Chairman of the Board - J.E.P.C.org 
 
 
 www.jepcmarionva.org 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 Group Photos 
Photo 1: A photo of some of the people that worked so hard on the declaration with the
Mayor. (From left to right: Travon L. Brown, Sabrina Meadows, Herbert Clay, Mayor
Helms, Jim Barker and Misty Russell)

Photo 2: Sabrina Meadows, Travon L. Brown, and Misty Russell get to witness and watch
the Mayor of Marion, Va. sign the declaration.