Dear Friends,
It’s difficult to hear the news these days with stories about antisemitism, racism, and MAGA Republicans’ ugly words and harmful deeds. Although the election of the now twice-impeached Trump triggered an escalation of extremism, such actions are not new in America. Prejudice and bigotry has a long history in our country. This week on the Friday Power Lunch we are going to address the hard questions of antisemitism, racism and hatred: its roots, what’s fueling it today, and what we must do to stand up to it. Join us.
The best news this week was that We the People for Education, a Virginia-based public education advocacy organization, officially launched. Working with parents and teachers, “We the People for Education supports local school board candidates who are focused on good governance, effective education policies and financial stewardship, and most importantly positive student outcomes versus political agendas and divisiveness. By empowering reasonable community members to support public education and push back against divisiveness and extremism,…aim to solve the real issues facing our classrooms: resource disparities, teacher shortages, and student safety and mental health.” Please share and support: We the People for Education!
Network NOVA plans to announce We the People for Education‘s participation in the 7th Annual Women’s Summit ALL IN to Win Virginia, July 22-23, making the Summit extremely timely as many of our School Board Candidates are running this year. Please get your early bird tix before they expire, next week. And submit your powerful and engaging workshops now. All info is at NetworkNOVA.org
The National Women’s Political Caucus, Virginia (NWPC-VA)’s Endorsement Application is LIVE for state-wide candidates. Let’s encourage all qualifying candidates to apply for endorsement. Who do you know, Victoria?
ALL IN,
Stair
PS: Watch Lydia Moland discuss how in1833, Lydia Maria Childs, threw herself into the fight of enslavements. Listen to Maria’s Appeal.
BATTLING BIGOTRY
Addressing the Hard Questions of Antisemitism, Racism, & Hatred
March 24, 2023, Noon
Meredith Weisel, DC Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League–a global leader in combatting antisemitism, extremism and bigotry and ensuring a just and inclusive society for all–will start us off by providing an historical look at hate in American and then share insights as to what is happening today.
Margaret Edds, journalist & author of What the Eyes Can’t See: Ralph Northam, Black Resolve, and a Racial Reckoning in Virginia, will tell the story of how the Governor’s blackface scandal changed him as a politician and a person. She will share how his reckoning resulted in his working with the Black community to craft and pass meaningful public policies and remove Confederate statues.
Pastor Michelle Thomas is a third-generation pastor, President of NAACP Loudoun, and one of the prominent Black leaders Governor Northam reached out to for guidance. She will share her first-hand experience helping to educate the Governor about endemic racism in the state and provide guidance on how he could use his position to help the Black community.
Share on Facebook – Share on Twitter – Share on Instagram
SSPA Phonebank for a Progressive Wisconsin Supreme Court
Join Silver Spring Progressive Action every Thursday.
Thursday, Mar 23, 4:00pm–5:00pm EST
Thu, Mar 30, 7:30pm–8:30pm EDT
Weekly Democracy Calls: Freedom to Vote Act Re-introduction w. Rep Sarbanes and the Kings Join the Freedom to Vote Act Movement Call to learn more about the Freedom to Vote Act and how we can take action together to show our elected officials that passing national standards to strengthen our democracy continues to be a top priority.
Thursday, March 23, 7:30 pm ET
Troublemaker Training: Social Emotional Learning – Why is it Under Attack?
We know that extremists are attacking public education – and their latest target is social and emotional learning (SEL). What is SEL, why is it an integral part of a student’s education and how can we protect it? Get answers to these questions and learn all about SEL by joining us to hear from Justina Schlund, Vice-President of Communications with CASEL, the nation’s leading organization advancing the development of academic, social and emotional learning.
Thursday, March 23, 7:30-8:30pm ET – 2023-24 Force Multiplier KICK OFF #2
The 2023-24 Kick Offs are a free community gathering to share Force Multiplier’s early cycle strategy. Speakers will include FM Co-Chairs Laura Weisel and Tom Hallock, FM Political Research, Co-Chair Dale Smith and FM Community Building Co-Chair Fern Fisher. Each session will include opportunities for you to share ideas and ask questions about this growing network of volunteers who raise funds for Democratic candidates for the U. S. House and Senate, as well as for voter empowerment groups in key states.
Virtual Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Join 50+ grassroots groups as we review the 2023 Virginia legislative session and get ready for registering voters, selecting candidates to support and more.
Tuesday, March 28 (and weekly) at 6 pm: MoneyOut Weekly Meeting of grassroots advocates dedicated to getting big money out of VA politics.
NETWORK Demands a Moral Budget
Join NETWORK’s Government Relations team who will discuss the House Republican strategy to shove the burden of lifting the debt ceiling onto people who receive Medicaid, housing vouchers, food assistance, and other human needs programs — in effect, shaming and blaming struggling people…for struggling. Their Grassroots Mobilization team will share how you can advocate for a moral budget.
Thursday, March 30, 7:30 pm ET
Freedom from a Family Legacy: Jesse Helms’ Granddaughter Speaks Out
Join Ellen Gaddy, the granddaughter of Jesse Helms, and other women from politically conservative backgrounds who are fighting for reproductive freedom. We’ll talk about how they changed their minds, how it may have impacted their faith, and why they’re using their voices now, as well as what they’re doing now to protect reproductive freedom in their states and what you can do to help.
Arlington
Saturday, March 25, 6:30 to 8:30 PM Women’s History Month Celebration to Fund Generation Ratify’s Youth Feminist Organizing.
March 25 – 28, Generation Ratify will be convening young feminists from across the country in D.C. to build community, collectively strategize, strengthen feminist organizing skills, and take action for the Equal Rights Amendment. They are hosting direct actions on Capitol Hill, lobbying their members of Congress, and coming up with a game plan to advance gender justice on campuses and beyond. This fundraising event will be a night of celebration and community, as we come together to support our movement for constitutional gender equality. There will be food, drinks, and lots of feminist fun, including a silent auction where you can bid on some fantastic items. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to meet dozens of young feminists who are eager to build the movement with you!
Ashburn
Rise To Summit, Ordinary Equality
Join Human Rights Attorney, Podcast Host, Author, ERA Advocate, Kate Kelly, as the keynote speaker and panel discussions of: The State of the ERA, Voices from the Next Generation, and Candidate Spotlights. Why: because “…there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality.”
Chantilly
Mustang Sally’s Brewing
Join the Fairfax County Democratic Committee vote for all your favorite candidates as they kick off the 2023 Fairfax County Democratic Primary Season!!! There will be lots of candidates, fun snacks, drinks, and lots and lots of voting!
Fairfax
Sunday, March 26, noon – 2 pm, Lake Barcroft
Meet Ben Litchfield for Senate – Securing the Senate for Working Families
Join Boyd Walker, Kathie Hoekstra and Duncan Barron for lunch at Stair & Mike Calhoun’s to support Ben Litchfield’s campaign for Senate District 27. Control of the Virginia Senate is on the line in 2023 and the majority runs through Fredericksburg. Let’s get together and help Flip It Blue!
Loudoun
Thursday, March 30, 2023 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Loudoun House Party with PPAV Join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia to meet other activists in the area, discuss the attacks on our reproductive rights, and learn why Loudoun is a key player in the fight for keeping reproductive health and abortion accessible in Virginia!
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