This week is about two sacred rights – voting and speaking out.
Primary Elections are underway in Virginia, and early voting started last Friday. You can cast your vote at your local Registrar’s Office or other designated locations in certain counties. To locate your County/City registrar’s office, check here. For further information regarding the Primaries, you can visit the Virginia Grassroots Coalition website.
On Mother’s Day Weekend, let’s all stand together and demand an assault weapons ban! Join Everytown and Moms Demand Action on Saturday from 4:00 to 4:30 PM ET to Stop, Pose, and Post. This Mother’s Day, instead of cards or flowers, we are advocating for Congress to reinstate the assault weapons ban—a proven life-saving measure. At 4:00 PM on May 13th, individuals across Virginia are encouraged to pause their activities, wear a red shirt, pose for a photo while holding a sign that reads “Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban and Save Lives,” and share the picture on social media. Don’t forget to tag your members of Congress on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Let’s make a powerful impact by flooding social media with our collective efforts.
ALL IN,
Stair
Swinging Blue – Step in to WIN VIRGINIA!
May 12, NOON
With early voting for the June primary now in full swing, this week’s Friday Power Lunch is about how we organize to swing the state blue this election season.
Kelly Johnson, Co-Lead, Moms Demand Action Alexandria, will get things started with a discussion about the horrors of gun violence and the June 2-4 Wear Orange weekend honoring gun violence survivors.
Susan Labandibar, Co-lead, Swing Blue Alliance, will talk about their Field Leaders Research Network (FLRN) that evaluates research being done of interest to grassroots organizers–from postcarding to messaging. Susan will explain how FLRN’s efforts can help make us more effective political volunteers.
Jody Rein from the Indivisible Truth Brigade, which addresses a major challenge in today’s political world – those who intentionally spread misleading or false information – will share how the Truth Brigade provides resources to fight against individuals and organizations spreading disinformation.
Matt Caffrey, Director of Grassroots Organizing for Swing Left, will share their plans to bring their national organizing muscle and volunteer power to Virginia.
We’ll end by spotlighting candidate Michael Feggans for Delegate (HD97), who is supported by both Swing Left, and Sister District Project.
Share on Facebook – Share on Twitter – Share on Instagram
Oppose Mass Surveillance – NOW
Despite the 2023 Virginia General Assembly’s rejection of the proposal to permit the Virginia State Police to conduct mass surveillance by the 2023 Virginia General Assembly – Governor Youngkin is attempting to introduce the same technology to local law enforcement agencies in Virginia using federal tax dollars! Please express your concerns to the members of the Criminal Justice Services Board NOW as their meeting is at 11am today. Easy one click.
Ride the Bus Week 2023 – May 14 – 20
One way to reduce air pollution is to expand public transit accessibility and increase ridership. We encourage RVA, Roanoke, and Petersburg residents to register, complete the survey, sign our petition, and Join Virginia Interfaith Power & Light and its partners for Ride the Bus Week. between May 14th and 20th! A robust public transit service can significantly improve the quality of life for everyone.
Sister District & Partners National Phonebank!
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Let’s turn Virginia blue again! Help elect top-priority Dem state legislative candidates & drive votes up the ticket in Virginia in 2023. This works. Last year, each National Phonebank averaged 4 local volunteers recruited and 12 undecided voters identified. We only call voters in the ballpark. Make calls for Danica Roem, Schuyler VanValkenberg, Josh Cole and Michael Feggans. Please share this as broadly as you can (as well as participate.). These are the first phone banking efforts covering campaigns in Virginia. It’s going to be an exciting season – let’s get started.
Building a Representative Democracy with Mandela Barnes
Join special guest, Wisconsin’s 45th and first Black Lt. Governor and former candidate for the United States Senate, Mandela Barnes, for a critical discussion on the importance of supporting diverse and groundbreaking pro-democracy candidates across our country.
Suburban Women Problem Podcast
Join Red, Wine and Blue as they mark the 100th episode of their popular podcast. To commemorate the occasion, they will feature rockstar historian Heather Cox Richardson, who was their very first guest two years ago. Sign up now; this will fill!
How to Conduct Campaign Opposition Research & Self-Research with RUN NOW
Learn from Julie Copeland, an expert in political research with over 3 decades of experience working for candidates at all levels of government. You will earn how to conduct free opposition research on about your opponent with the public, free resources available on the internet. Julie will dissect how to conduct self research and clean up your own digital footprint before running for office.
Restoring the Right to Vote in Virginia
RASR (Resolutions Addressing Systemic and Structural Racism) is sponsoring this online event with the Center for Common Ground. Virginia is one of three states with lifetime disenfranchisement of former felons written in the constitution. Hear from those working on this issue in Virginia and learn where we are now and how we change the Virginia constitution.
Join NOW to Level Up your lobbying skills with Christine Wood, Co-Director for the Declaration for American Democracy, a coalition of 260+ national and local organizations working to strengthen our democracy and protect our freedom to vote.
Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia (DBCV) Criminal Justice/Policing Forum
Join for an engaging conversation with Virginia’s policing leadership from locations throughout the Commonwealth: Kevin Davis (Fairfax), Mark Talbot (Norfolk), Peter Newsham (Prince William) and Rick Edwards (Norfolk). Learn about the reforms and changes they have made after the 2020 criminal justice and police reform concerns that arose from the death of George Floyd. And explore how these changes they made have impacted their organizations for the better (or not).Are diversity outreach efforts and training working? What are important future strategies?
Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
In this critical strategy session, we will be discussing our support of the “Power Pack” concept – a group of overlapping state and local races where a few of them are key to holding the Senate and flipping the House blue. Some overlapping races to consider are located in Prince William County (SD 30), Loudoun County (SD 31), Fredericksburg (SD 27), Richmond (SD 16), Hampton Roads (SD 22, SD 24), and Southside Virginia (SD 17). Additionally we will be looking at candidates in a stretch race that may get little support from others. (Jessica Anderson in HD 71 is a great example!)
How Mis- and Dis- Information Targets People of Color
Join the League of Women Voters of Virginia’s discussion with distinguished speakers on how communities of color are targeted for mis- and dis- information – impacting voting, jobs, housing, health, and many other avenues of life. Speakers will include: Traci DeShazor, former Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Tameka D. Tunsil, M.Ed., LPC, ACS, CCTP – Division Manager, Fairfax County Government, Behavioral Health Outpatient Program, and Janel Jones Merritt, CFO, Digidoc.
Alexandria
Friday, June 2, 2023 7:00-9:00 PMWEAR ORANGE Rally
Market Square, 301 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314Join Moms Demand Action for a Wear Orange Rally to remember lives lost to gun violence and raise awareness about this public health crisis. All are welcome to our family friendly rally where we will join community partners and hear from survivors and special guests. Remember to Wear Orange!
Annandale
Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Candidate Debate for Virginia Senate District 35 with Senator David Marsden and Heidi Drauschak
Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
Join moderator Gene Rossi and the candidates who will defend their positions on the most pressing issues facing our society today. From women’s reproductive rights to education, from transportation to climate change, they will tackle it all with passion, intelligence, and wit.
Arlington
Saturday, May 20 3:00-6:00pm
We of Action (WofA) Paint Virginia Blue Social & Membership Meeting!
We miss you all and want to spend our May monthly membership meeting
reconnecting in person. We will provide drinks, appetizers and paint supplies – you just provide your creative spirit! RSVP here: Micaela.Pond@gmail.com
Fairfax
Saturday, June 17, 10:30am-12:00pm
Juneteenth event with NAACP Fairfax and NoVA Parks
Bull Run Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA 20121
Come learn about the largest private emancipation of the enslaved, commemorate the cemetery where many of the freed are interred, visit the site where Blacks and Whites worshiped as early as 1775 and hear words of inspiration from Bishop Brett Fuller, Senior Pastor, Grace Covenant Church.
Saturday, July 29, 2023, 9:00am-6:00pm FCDC Training Summit
Fairfax County Government Center 12000 Government Center Parkway Calling all Democratic Precinct Captains and Dedicated Volunteers! Come to an all-day Training Summit where you will learn what you need to know about the 2023 Elections. Let’s make sure Democrats win BIG this year!
Loudoun
Saturday, May 13, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Environmentalists’ Gathering @ Leesburg Winery/Brewery Quattro Goombas
Come to meet like-minded Loudoun residents to talk about your community and environmental concerns. Learn how you can effectively utilize grassroots power to defend your community. It’s up to all of us to ensure Loudoun County remains a beautiful place to live for generations to come. Our decision-makers are pushing plans that could fundamentally alter our communities–from giant data centers to countless development projects that will harm our air, water, and soil. We can maintain and create a sustainable Loudon where our families can thrive. Learn out how we can improve Loudoun’s leadership to protect our future. Complimentary appetizers.
Belmont Country Club Manor House
Join Network NOVA, Equality Loudoun, Loudoun for All and others for a free and fun night at the Manor! Elected officials, political candidates, and other local leaders will be around to casually chat with attendees. There will be raffles with items from incredible local businesses and organizations. Enjoy music from the Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra, giant games, billiards, food, and drinks. What you won’t get is a bunch of long-winded speeches. So enjoy yourself while you get to know our Loudoun leaders.
McLean
Sunday, May 21st, 11:15am
Virginia’s State Legislation Progress in Addressing Climate Change with Delegate Rip Sullivan
Langley Hill Friends Meeting, 6410 Georgetown Pike, McLean.
Attendance in-person or by zoom. Zoom link starting after 11: https://tinyurl.com/5xe59mhv
Please RSVP to lhhousegrounds@gmail.com – If questions, please contact Keith Oberg at 571-212-4139, or Lynne Corn at 571-765-0522
Woodbridge
Saturday, May 13, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Low Country Boil and Labor Walk for Jennifer Carroll Foy for Senate
1305 Jefferson Plaza, Woodbridge
9:00am - Speakers and instructions
10:00am - Hit the road door knocking
12:00pm - Return and enjoy a Low Country Boil
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