RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney was sworn in for a second term Monday during a ceremony at Henry Marsh Elementary School.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us if we want to build a city that meaningfully reflects the lessons learned not only in 2020, but also throughout centuries of our unique, tumultuous history,” Mayor Stoney said in a statement released by his office. “We must fill the potholes, pave the streets, pick up the trash and issue the permits on time. But my priority will always be serving as a champion of Richmonders burdened by generational poverty.”
The swearing-in ceremony came 216 days after Stoney faced arguably his toughest day as mayor when a crowd of people gathered outside Richmond City Hall calling for his resignation.
Stoney faced the crowd and apologized after Richmond Police lobbed tear gas at a group of peaceful demonstrators during a protest at the Lee Monument over the death of George Floyd.
Stoney defeated multiple challengers to win re-election in November.
"Richmond, we must meet our moment,” the mayor's statement continued. “It won’t come easy. It will require a Herculean effort from each and every one of us. But I know we will get there. Yes, 2020 may have been a dark year, but dawn is on the horizon.”
