Let's hire the Edwards family an attorney

"My grandfather and his father. Men of integrity who served and dedicated their entire lives to serve their country and fight for others. Who lost countless properties and land because of a change in the laws (the land belongs to those who work it, not who own it. Same with houses) had to choose between starting from zero or using connections. They started from scratch again. They taught me respect. And integrity.

Respect for others and for myself. To stand up for what is right and stick up for those less strong.

Now that Colin’s out of school, I can be more open and share what happened to us. We have been, for the last four years, victims of racial violence from the same person. What has been happening?

Today I was told I’m a leech of this country, my husband is gay, and my son is worthless(Among other floral and colorful descriptions I won’t repeat). I was also told I needed to go back to my country “Colombia” ()

Today, I was called so many names that were not even in my vocabulary. I was intimidated, verbally abused and assaulted; my son was taunted and instigated in an attempt to get him in trouble. My son had to witness his mother being attacked verbally while the attacker tried to get a reaction from him. He said, “hit me, little boy, let’s see what you can do,” while making a fist and acting like he was going to hit us both.

To this, I can add a long list of encounters from previous years, which I did not disclose because the man’s wife was Colin’s high school teacher. We actually like her and respect her. And out of kindness but also fear of retaliation within the school, we said nothing.

Last year, when we finally had to call the police because he tried to run over us (Colin and I) in front of our house. We called the police. They asked for proof. We were washing our cars and had the garden hose and soap in our hands. We had no proof, other than a terrifying experience.

To paraphrase his claim, Richmond Police stands with him. And from his long years of work in the community and county, Richmond authorities respect him. Even though that’s only a claim, I wonder.

It’s time. His name is David Dorsten.

He’s threatening Lucas. Told him he’d shoot him and all of us. He threatened a neighbor and told him he’d cut his throat. Years ago, he spits on an elderly lady’s face and called her names.

There is so much more that happened today that I am not sharing for many reasons. I am saddened hate exists. And that has happened before.

Today he was banned from coming to our property. In retaliation, he banned us from going on his property. That shows that this will not stop here. Nothing has stopped him before.

It’s time authorities do something.

Update: I am posting this because it is essential that our community is aware of what happens here. Of the mistreatment and unkind behavior. Of the violence. We could be your family. Colin could be your son. David Dorsten is a loose cannon, and he could be your friend/relative. It is a very unfortunate but real issue and must be addressed. We mustn't support this kind of behavior. Not even with silence.

I want to be very clear. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR PITY. This is a serious matter, and I AM looking for community officials to DO something. TO STAND UP for WHAT IS RIGHT. With INTEGRITY.

FOR HUMAN RIGHTS!" _ C. Edwards

Let's show this wonderful family that we want them in Richmond. Let's show them that Richmond is better than this and let David Dorsten know that his racism is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.