U&A from THE VIRGINIA DEFENDER
Phil Wilayto
Updates & Announcementss
A service of THE VIRGINIA DEFENDER newspaper - Dec. 30, 2019
IN THIS ISSUE:
Jan. 8 - MONUMENTAL JUSTICE RALLY - NO TO CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS!
Jan. 11 - 3rd ANNUAL VIRGINIA PRISON JUSTICE RALLY
Jan. 20 - REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY - NO TO WHITE SUPREMACISTS!
WINTER 2020 EDITION OF THE VIRGINIA DEFENDER
Feb. 21-23 - NATIONAL ANTIWAR CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK CITY
Dear Friends,
We hope you all were able to attend the tremendous Shockoe Bottom Symposium held Dec. 7 at the Library of Virginia. With more than 250 people attending, it was the largest turnout ever on this issue. Even though Mayor Stoney refused to commit to support the 9-acre Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park, the event greatly strengthened our efforts.
Video of the symposium is posted at: https://www.facebook.com/sacredgroundproject/videos/2764209483600532/ and https://www.facebook.com/sacredgroundproject/videos/2458373911085250/. (Be patient - the videos will start after short pauses.)
More information about the symposium is at: www.dec7symposium.org.
In January, we’ll be holding an expanded meeting of the Shockoe Bottom Advocates Group to strategize about the next steps. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, we’re moving ahead on several other fronts:
Wed., Jan. 8: MONUMENTAL JUSTICE RALLY - A rally to support legislation in the 2020 General Assembly to give local governments the authority to take down Confederate monuments. 2:30 - 3:30 pm at Capitol Square. Hosted by Monumental Justice Virginia and Take 'Em Down Cville, which held an organizing meeting Dec. 9 in Richmond. The Defenders arranged for the meeting space and invited local activists. We strongly encourage folks to help promote and attend the rally. On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/748955472252518/
Sat., Jan. 11: 3rd ANNUAL VIRGINIA PRISON JUSTICE RALLY - Hundreds of former prisoners, their family members and supporters are expected to attend the 3rd Annual Virginia Prison Justice Rally from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Bell Tower on Richmond’s Capitol Square. This event is a statewide collaboration of the many organizations that have joined together through the Virginia Prison Justice Network (https://vapjn.wordpress.com) to create a greater voice for incarcerated individuals and their family members who remain victimized by unjust laws and policies. The rally will feature statements from Virginia prisoners, remarks by former prisoners and family members and representatives from prisoner advocacy organizations. The goals are to call attention to the many injustices that exist within prisons and the criminal justice system in the Commonwealth of Virginia and to garner support for bills to be presented to the 2020 session of the Virginia General Assembly that would correct these long-standing inequities. The Defenders are doing a lot of work on this event and we strongly urge folks to help promote and attend the rally. On Facebook: https://www.fgunacebook.com/events/758766474609013/ NOTE: We need volunteers to sign up people at the rally for the VAPJN mailing list, distribute fliers about bills we’re following, collect donations and provide security. Please let us know if you can help.
Mon., Jan. 20: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY - NO TO WHITE SUPREMACISTS! - A traditional day of lobbying at the General Assembly. This year, gun rights activists from around the state are planning to come and lobby against bills restricting gun ownership. The Defenders support the right of responsible individuals to own guns for self-defense and sport, but the lobbying day will also be a magnet for right-wing groups. We’re working with other local activists on an approach that’s different from the anti-gun liberals but opposes the presence of racist and fascist groups. Please let us know if you want to help with this effort.
WINTER 2020 EDITION OF THE VIRGINIA DEFENDER - Beginning our 16th year of publication! Support Virginia’s only statewide, progressive, community newspaper! Volunteer to help! Make a donation! Send us news tips! Get involved! Contact us by replying to this email.
Feb. 21-23 - NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED NATIONAL ANTIWAR COALITION - New York City. We will be attending and staffing a Defenders table. Although we are no longer affiliated with UNAC, the conferences are always a good opportunity to learn about struggles around the world, and we have many friends and allies we’d like to stay in touch with. If you’re interested in attending, please let us know by replying to this email.
OK, that’s it for now. Please get back to us on how you can help. We need you, and the Struggle needs the Defenders.
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Read the Autumn 2019 edition of THE VIRGINIA DEFENDER HERE.
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The VIRGINIA DEFENDERS FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE & EQUALITY is a community organization founded in 2002 to work for the survival of our communities through education and social justice actions. The all-volunteer organization publishes The Virginia Defender newspaper, sponsors the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project, is a co-founder of the Virginia Prison Justice Network and coordinates the Odessa Solidarity Campaign.
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