Richard H. Allan confessed 3 weeks ago to removing this small underfoot metal plaque from Court Square. It had replaced a much larger sign that  stood at eye level for 40 years but mysteriously disappeared 18 years back. In addition to the small sign's being underfoot, almost unnoticeable, it had been placed on the wrong corner, further erasing  painful but factual history. Many citizens felt that as unwary tourists stood on it with dirty shoes it diminished and insulted the African American forebears who as enslaved labor built much of Albemarle county's basic wealth. Now Allan (Freeman or Hobs to his friends and family) faces felony charges, attorney bills, possible fine and even additional fees if the case is moved to a higher court. It is said his maximum prison sentence could be 21 years. If you feel so called, please contribute a small amount, even as little as $1 to $10, to this  this defense fund. Your gift would symbolically join you with Allan, saying  that the insulting sign should have been removed long ago. The fund will be capped at $3000. All money not required for defense will be donated to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.