F.C. Bulletin: April 28, 2026
1) Delegate Marcus Simon Reacts to "Yes" Vote in Virginia Redistricting Referendum
2) City Releases 'Confronting Enslavement at The Falls Church,' 4th Video in 'Reflections at 250' Series
3) Policing in Falls Church City: Upcoming Community Meetings Scheduled
4) Three Matches, Three Wins for Virginia Dream FC
Delegate Marcus Simon Reacts to "Yes" Vote in Va. Redistricting Referendum
Following is from an April 27 constituent newsletter from Va. Delegate Marcus Simon (13th):
Virginians Showed Up & Showed Out
After months of debates, dueling mailers, and digital TV ads, voters across the Commonwealth finally got their chance to be heard on Tuesday and the results were decisive. As I am sure you’ve read or seen by now, the Yes vote prevailed.
The outcome of the vote was a victory for responsive, responsible governance and restoring our system of checks and balances in the Federal Government. I’ve been especially heartened by news reports in the wake of the referendum’s passage. Republicans nationally are starting to realize that they may have started a fight they can’t win, and are now open to considering national redistricting reform to ban gerrymandering for ALL states in Federal elections. That’s exactly what I argued a Yes vote would do, and I look forward to the time when we can accomplish real reforms that level the playing field for everyone. But it wouldn’t have happened if Republicans thought they could get away with cheating.
For & Against
For two opposed views – one "Yes" and one "No" – we published before the April 21 Virginia Redistricting Referendum see below (in order of receipt and publication):
No:
Christopher Jones
Yes:
Christopher Jones
The Falls Church Independent welcomes letters-to-the-editor submittals reflecting a wide range of viewpoints. Publication of a letter does not constitute an endorsement of views expressed.
City Releases 'Confronting Enslavement at The Falls Church,' 4th Video in 'Reflections at 250' Series
In its monthly video series "Reflections at 250" the City of Falls Church is stepping up boldly and impressively – confronting harsh historical truths as well as celebrating laudatory progress – as it looks back on its own complex history in a variety of areas since the nation's founding 250 years ago.
Beginning in January 2026, Falls Church Community Television (FCCTV) has aired the City's well-produced monthly series of brief (under 10-minute) historic videos capturing the City of Falls Church's unique and consequential history. Each is highly informative, emotionally stirring, and well worth watching.
In January, the City released "Impact of Local Democracy" featuring Mayor Letty Hardi and several former mayors of the City; In February, "Women in Preservation" spotlighting the Falls Church Women's History Group; In March, "A Legacy of Civil Rights that Endures" featuring Founder of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation Edwin Henderson II and Nicky Graves Henderson.
And this month on April 23, it released "Confronting Slavery at The Falls Church" highlighting the work of Rev. Burl Salmon, Rector of The Falls Church Episcopal, Amy Marshak, member of The Falls Church Episcopal Racial Justice Ministry, and Kim Robinson, museum curator and historian.
This month's video spotlights in-depth research conducted by The Falls Church Episcopal's Racial Justice Ministry as its members sought to learn how deeply entrenched the institution of slavery was for the church. Through deep analysis of scattered records, tax and probate evidence, and other difficult-to-access information, the researchers learned that all of the church's colonial vestrymen – including George Washington and George Mason – were large-scale enslavers. And, through the 19th century pre-Civil War decades the nationwide Episcopal Church fomented pro-slavery ideology similar to that which would be championed by the Confederacy.
An Ideal Template for Pursuing Racial Reconciliation
The video makes clear that the work performed by Rev. Salmon and the church's Racial Justice Ministry serves as perhaps an ideal template for how racial reconciliation might be pursued. By researching, contemplating, and revealing even the most shameful, evil, and disturbing aspects of the past, we have a chance to move forward with a conscious awareness of how past crimes have lingering effects on people today and must not be repeated.
"At the heart of Falls Church [City] stands The Falls Church, the city's namesake and the landmark deeply connected to the nation's origins," the narrator begins. "But understanding its history means confronting all of it, including its ties to slavery. As we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation, we explore this past and its impact on our community today."
"Our church began taking this deeper look at our history in 2022 at the invitation of our rector," says Amy Marshak of the Racial Justice Ministry. "The Episcopal Church has been on a journey of reckoning with this history because the Episcopal Church has been around since the colonial period [and] was very much tied in with the spiritual justification for the Civil War and the cause of the South [as well as] giving moral force to the cause of the South. So there's a big history for the Episcopal Church as a whole to reckon with in the area of slavery."
"What we've come to discover is that all of the rectors of this parish – from its beginnings in 1732 all the way till 1865 – were not only slaveholders but significant slaveholders in this area," says Rev. Salmon. "And what we know is that this parish's earliest financial support was built on the backs of enslaved persons who were working those tobacco fields. We know that the Rolling Road, which is now East Fairfax Street that literally runs in front of this building, was the road on which barrels of tobacco were rolled from their plantations in this part of northern Virginia all the way down to the Potomac River. So, we know that enslaved persons contributed to the building, literally, of this edifice in which we now stand and sit. This building was begun in 1767 and it was finished in 1769. We're just beginning to learn the literal names of the persons who were 'owned' by the rectors and vestry members of this congregation."
Tell All The Truth
".... What are ways that institutions and communities can confront their difficult past instead of avoid them? Tell the truth. Tell all the truth. Not just the parts that are pretty. Not just the parts that we want to be reminded of, but all of it," continued Rev. Salmon. "We think it's crucial that we understand who we are. We may not be slaveholders now – and we're certainly not – but we benefit from that legacy. It's a part of our DNA and the descendants of slavery still exist. We are still here. We profited from slavery. And I would imagine, I would be willing to bet, that there are people within a mile of this building, within two and five miles of this building, whose families were literally enslaved by the builders of this building."
Amy Marshak of the Racial Justice Ministry speaks as well of the need to be bold and face the truth, no matter how distressing, and to work to rectify the wrongs of the past. "It's not enough just to issue a report and say, 'Look, we're acknowledging it. We're very sorry.' Sorry requires action and it requires building it into the fabric of our church community. How we think about what we owe to our broader community and what we owe specifically to the community who's been harmed. And I think as Christians, if you want to follow in the way of Jesus and believe in reconciliation and justice, this is work that needs to be done in order to be able to move forward toward creating the kind of Kingdom of God that Jesus envisioned."
"I think we have a responsibility to honor the sacrifices and suffering of the past by highlighting these stories," says Museum Curator and Historian Kim Robinson. "I think it's also incumbent upon the community to hold their leaders accountable. To not let them shy away from telling these difficult stories. It's important for the community here in Falls Church and in Northern Virginia in general to acknowledge how far we've come as a country, but also how far we still have to go."
To see the video "Confronting Enslavement at The Falls Church / Reflections at 250 see below:
Policing in Falls Church City: Upcoming Community Meetings Scheduled
Following is based on an April 27 press release from the City of Falls Church:
Monday, April 27, 2026 – The City of Falls Church Police Department invites the public to share their perspectives on local law enforcement services and future priorities at two community meetings scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 16, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Both meetings will be held in City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) and are open to all.
These community meetings are an opportunity for the public to provide input on key policing issues relevant to the Police Department’s ongoing Organizational Review Study, an independent evaluation of the Police Department's workload and staffing needs now and in the future. Matrix Consulting Group, the firm conducting the study, will facilitate the meetings where participants can share feedback about the Police Department’s presence, responsiveness, and service gaps.
“This Organizational Review Study is a critical undertaking for our Police Department, and it’s essential that the final recommendations reflect the values of our community,” said Chief Shahram Fard. "By combining data analysis with direct feedback from the public, the Police Department will have an operational roadmap based on evidence and shaped by what our community expects."
Community members unable to attend are welcome to email their feedback and priorities to police@fallschurchva.gov by Sunday, May 17. The results of the Organizational Review Study are expected to be finalized this summer and will provide a framework for future Police Department initiatives and budget planning.
Three Matches, Three Wins for Virginia Dream FC
Following is based on an April 27 press release from Virginia Dream FC.
Falls Church, VA – Three matches into the 2026 Spring UPSL Season and Virginia Dream FC is still undefeated!
The Dream faced North Stars FC on a chilly Sunday night and were dominant right from the kickoff whistle. Ahmed El-Manialawy netted the opening goal in the 7th minute of the match and got a second as the half was ending. Jonathan Kanagwa scored in the 31st minute to make the halftime score 3-0. Diarra Zoumana and Mike Akinkoye finished with a brace each. Ahmed Mohamed and Bernardo Majano added a goal apiece. The final result was 9-1 to keep the Dream season perfect.
Virginia Dream FC plays away at Los Toros on Sunday, May 3.
The next home match is Sunday, May 10 at The Cloud, aka Meridian High School Stadium. Kickoff is 8:00 p.m.
For updates and more information, visit: https://www.instagram.com/virginiadreamfc.
Virginia Dream FC is a Falls Church-based semi-professional soccer club founded in 2022 with a mission to remove financial barriers by covering all player costs. Competing at a high level across national leagues, the club blends elite competition with community impact, creativity, and culture. Virginia Dream FC has gained national recognition through its U.S. Open Cup performances and growing digital audience.
Virginia Dream FC's Many Championships & Accomplishments Since Their Founding in 2022:
From: Virginiadreamfc.com.
- Defeated professional side Richmond Kickers in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
- Qualified for the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
- 2024 NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference Champion
- Spring 2024 UPSL DMV South Playoff Champions
- UPSL DMV South Regular Season Champions (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025)
- 2023 TST $1 Million Tournament Participant
- VSSL Regular Season Champions Spring (2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
- VSSL Playoff Champions (Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024)
- Fall 2022 Washington Premier League Champions
For more in-depth reporting on Virginia Dream FC, see our article below:
Christopher Jones
By Christopher Jones
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