Crusade showdown could bring shakeup

Richmond Crusade for Voters president Antione Green and vice president James “J.J.” Minor recently came to loggerheads over Green’s leadership position with the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. If Green’s detractors have their way, he could be voted out of his presidency post tonight.

March 16, 2010; 3:34 PM • by Chris Dovi

Tonight could bring a bloody end to a tense Mexican standoff among the top officers of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

The Crusade’s president, Antione Green and his vice president, James “J.J.” Minor, represent opposing factions on the non-partisan civil rights organization founded during Massive Resistance to fight school segregation.

The two recently came to loggerheads over Green’s leadership position with the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. If Green’s detractors have their way, he could be voted out of his presidency post tonight.

The Crusade, a history-laden and venerable local institution, has raised its profile significantly during the three years Green has led. During the 2008 mayoral race, the Crusade’s monthly meetings played host to a series of important forums, including the only full School Board election debate. During the tumultuous tenure of Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, Green courted newsmakers to the meetings where their remarks frequently made headlines.

Green, who also serves as chief executive officer of the fledgling Patrick Henry School, has been in hot water with Minor and other Crusade members since his testimony earlier this month before a Virginia General Assembly education committee examining proposed changes to the state’s charter school laws. During the committee meeting, Green identified himself by both titles and when asked by a member of the committee whether he was here representing both, he answered that he was.

Since then, Green has indicated that he only meant to verify his titles to the questioner, but that answer has not satisfied other Crusade members.

At a recent meeting of the Crusade’s executive committee, Minor called Green out telling him he had to “fix this” and inferring further action might be necessary.

Minor last month was elected as the chairman of the Richmond Democratic Committee, a position that may conflict with his own leadership with the Crusade.

Minor’s mother is Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond), and Green previously has served as a legislative aide to both Del. Joe Morrissey (D-Henrico) and Gov. George Allen while the latter served as a U.S. senator.

Green’s misstep before the General Assembly committee has also riled other Richmond political leaders.

Richmond School Board member Yvette Wilson sent a letter to the Crusade and cited her disgust with Green in canceling her membership. She has since rescinded that resignation, but members of the Crusade’s governing body indicate that she has failed to pay dues for the past three years, making her act of protest moot.

It is unclear from the Crusade’s bylaws whether there is a mechanism whereby an officer — either Green or Minor — can be removed early.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters meets tonight at 7pm at the Military Retirees Club on Chamberlayne Avenue in Bacon’s Quarter.

(Image courtesy of Antione M. Green)