Virginia City Council Accused of Racism in Plot to Fire Black City Manager

Lawsuit Alleges Racially Motivated Termination

• ⚖️ Concetta Manker, the first Black woman city manager of Hopewell, Virginia, has filed a $6.85 million lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination by white city council members.
• 🎯 The lawsuit claims the termination vote on May 1st, 2025, fell strictly along racial lines (4-3), violating Manker's rights and procedural rules.
• 📄 Manker, who holds a doctorate in applied management and decision sciences, is seeking immediate reinstatement and damages, citing violations of Robert's Rules of Order.

Procedural Violations and Due Process Claims

• ⏳ Manker's attorney argues that the council violated Robert's Rules of Order by failing to make a motion to reconsider the termination within the required timeframe after an initial 3-3 tie vote in February.
• 🚫 The lawsuit asserts that Manker was denied due process, as the council did not follow proper procedures for reconsideration or challenge of her firing.
• ⚠️ The city attorney, Anthony Bet, had warned the council against proceeding with the termination vote on May 1st, but his advice was ignored.

Allegations of Defamation and Racist Remarks

• 📧 Manker is also suing Vice Mayor Rita Joiner separately for defamation over an email describing Manker as incompetent and claiming she was throttled by Manker.
• 🗣️ The lawsuit states Joiner's criticism stemmed from a belief that Manker "did not look like a city manager" and that the city didn't want "someone like her running our city."
• 💬 Councilman Dominique Holloway accused Joiner of using the phrase "blacking up," which allegedly refers to the city hiring Black employees.

Conflict of Interest and Racist Dog Whistles

• 🚨 Councilman Ronnie Ellis, who also serves as Fire Chief, is accused of having a conflict of interest as Manker was effectively his superior.
• 🚩 Ellis is also accused of using a racist dog whistle phrase, "We need to take our city back," in his 2023 campaign, implying a desire to revert to a previous state before Manker's tenure.
• 📈 The lawsuit contends that the 4-3 vote along racial lines was a direct result of racial enmity that had been growing since the beginning of Manker's tenure.

Broader Context and Community Reaction

• 🏛️ The city manager is described as the most powerful person in the city, overseeing departments like police and fire, making the role significant.
• 🗣️ The termination meeting was highly emotional, with one resident calling the white council members "disgusting individuals" and receiving applause.
• 💰 While the lawsuit seeks $6.85 million, one commentator suggested Manker is entitled to much more due to the ordeal and the community impact.