“The hotel ballroom crackled with energy as grassroots activists, elected officials, and candidates got fired up for a blue victory in Virginia this November,” is how the grassroots group NOPE Neighbors described the Women’s Summit, ALL IN to Win Virginia in their newsletter. We agree! This year’s Women’s Summit was fabulous and we will be sharing our work and fun on the upcoming Power Lunches. Please feel (and share) the energy from the Summit with Black Virginia News and Blue Virginia. Campaigns are in full swing, please see the Grassroots Resources below and let’s get it done!
ALL IN,
Stair
Get Up. Speak Up. Act Up
!August 4, 2023, 12 NOON ET
On Saturday at the Women’s Summit, we did a live version of the Power Lunch on why we need to “Get Loud” to save Democracy. At the end of this fabulous panel with Delegates Jackie Glass, Briana Sewell, Kathy Tran and Cia Price, Delegate Price challenged everyone to take their activism to the next level and Get Up. Speak Up. Act Up. We are using her challenge as the theme for this week’s program.
- Lauren Burke (Founder of Black Virginia News) will talk about the upcoming election focusing on the profile of the candidates running and how the election is being presented in the local and national press.
- Poet Tammarrah Addison will recite her new poem that she premiered at the Women’s Summit: “We are Democrats.”
- Kelsey Johnson Lawrence from Warren County will talk about founding the grassroots group “Save Samuels” to protect her local library in response to recent book bans and related budget hijacking. Kelsey will also share her Summit story of coming to the event feeling like she was alone in her fight and leaving knowing she is part of a dynamic community of activists that have her back.
- Shannon Taylor, Henrico’s Commonwealth’s Attorney, will explain what is going on with reproductive rights and prosecution in Virginia and around the nation.
Coalition Website Resources:
- Upcoming Campaign Events – https://www.virginiagrassroo
ts.org/action-calls-to-action. – [If you have an event you’d like posted here, send to denis4blueVA@gmail.com]php?type=All - Locations of PowerPacks – https://www.virgi
niagrassroots.org/election2023 -PowerPacks.php - Candidate info – https://www.virginiagra
ssroots.org/election2023.php
Virginia Grassroots Canvasses:
- August 5th – 31st St. Canvass for Russet Perry in Leesburg – RSVP here
- August 5th – Grassroots Canvass for Josh Thomas in Manassas, VA – RSVP here
- August 5th – Door Knocking for Jessica Anderson in VA HD-71 – RSVP here
- August 6th – Blue Families Postcard Party – RSVP here
Saturday, August 12-13, 2023
Weekend of Action for Rob Banse in Senate Power Pack 31 (Russet Perry)
Saturday, August 19th, 10:00am
Monthly canvassing in Leesburg, VA for State Senate 31, with SwingLeftHoCoMD20 W Market St, Leesburg, VA.
The primary is over and the democratic candidate for State Senate 31 is Russet Perry. It’s essential for us to flip this seat to keep Democratic control in the State Senate. Since redistricting this seat is now competitive and the incumbent is not running.
Thursday, August 3, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Troublemaker Power Hour w/ Special Guest Connie Schultz: Turnout Ohio Voters for August 8th Election
Calling all Troublemakers – join Red, Wine & Blue (RWB) and inspiring guest Connie Schultz and let’s support our RWB community in Ohio. Extremists in the legislature are trying to undermine democracy and deny reproductive rights in the state. We have the power to defeat it! The first step is turning voters out to the polls for an important August 8th special election. We are a force when we work together! Join us for a fun Troublemaker Power Hour and be part of the team calling RWB members in Ohio reminding them to vote. We will give you all the information you need and be there to support – easy peasy!
Tuesday August 8, 6:00 PM and every Tuesday in August
Texting Tuesdays with Black Voters Matters Whether you texted with Black Voters Matter before or are new to texting, this event is for you! Texting Tuesdays is an opportunity to learn about our latest text campaigns while taking action by texting residents across the US about the power that they have to make a change in their community.
Thursday August 10, 7pm
DPVA Summer Training Series: Voter Registration – Expanding the Electorate
Saturday, August 19th, 10:30am-4:00pm
Team Up Training in Richmond
Join Swing Left for an in-person training about how to start a local group and organize to elect Democrats in your community! We will also match you with 2-4 co-leaders during the training so that you can work as a team. This is a great opportunity to share with folks you know in the Richmond area who are new to grassroots organizing.
Learn more and apply
Tuesday, August 29: 7 – 9pm EDT – Tysons, VA 22102
Virginia Blue Victory 2023 Northern Virginia Community MeetupJoin Swing Left to bring together campaign, party and grassroots leaders, and organizers to discuss how we can work together to Protect The Senate, Flip The House and win local races in November! The goal of the meetup is to bring together a collection of resources to build teams for various forms of community engagement ranging from relational organizing to precinct operations. Volunteer Needs include: – Canvassing / Lit Dropping – Carpool Drivers/Riders to battleground districts – Phone Banking – Text Banking – Social Ambassadors – Postcarding – Visibility – Volunteers (Farmer’s Markets, Festivals, Street Canvassing) – Event Hosts (House Parties, Meet & Greets) – Precinct Captains. The event will be held at the Star Hill Biergarten in Tysons on the “Perch” rooftop of the Capitol One Center near the McLean metro stop. The rooftop has spectacular views and features a stage with live music, games, food truck and mini-golf area, a dog park and the lounge of the Watermark Hotel.
