We have reached crossover! We have a NEW set of Calls to Action below to help make sure the Virginia Grassroots’ priority bills make it through the other chamber. You will notice that bills that originated in the Senate are now being considered in the House and vice versa. Please take action today and share the CTAs with your groups and friends.
The Grassroots Collaboration Project is creating a National Directory of Grassroots groups working on elections. Here are the organization listed so far: https://grassroots-directory.org/all-organizations/ If your group or you know of groups not on the directory, please encourage them to join here: https://grassroots-directory.org/enroll-your-organization/
Join us Friday for Young Women Sparking Change: The Girls Who Sparked America’s Revolution.
ALL IN,
Stair
Young Women Sparking Change Young and Restless: The Girls Who Sparked America’s Revolution
This week on the Friday Power Lunch (2-16-2024) we are celebrating the courage, determination, and panache of young women change makers.
Author Mattie Kahn’s new book “Young & Restless” tells the story of how young women have been at the forefront of every major social movement in America, but their roles have been discounted, ignored, and absent from the historical narrative. Mattie, an award-winning writer and editor and former culture director at Glamour, will share the untold history of young women who were leaders for social change and what we can learn from these trailblazers.
Every election we ask how to get more young people to vote. Having role models can play a big part in the younger generation’s political action. The importance of giving back and being involved is the fabric of the Amburgey women’s lives. Three generations of Amburgey women will join us – grandmother Carol, daughter Kate, and granddaughter Carolyn. We will hear about granddaughter Carolyn’s interest in voter registration and the ERA. As Kate says, “if you learn activism as a child, you’ll live it as an adult.”
Virginia Tech student Delia Alcorn saw a problem at her university and did something about it by writing a bill that is now making its way through the General Assembly. We will hear about why and how Delia came to the inspiration behind House Bill 1342: On-Campus Post-Sexual Assault Care. Like Carolyn, Delia comes from a family involved in politics. Delia’s father is Fairfax Supervisor, Walter Alcorn, and her aunt is a former candidate for Delegate, Elizabeth Alcorn.
CALLS TO ACTION
(These are NEW Calls to Action to help make sure our priority bills make it through the other chamber. They are going to a new list of recipients.) Find all live Calls to Action for the Virginia Legislative Session here.
Human Rights
HB994. Establishes legal age for marriage to be 18 years – Full Senate
Call to Action: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hb-994-full-senate/
Education
SB14. Give localities greater flexibility to improve school funding – House Finance Committee
Call to Action: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/sb14-house-finance/
Good Governance
HB 265: End misuse of the Removal Process – Senate P&E Committee
Call to Action: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hb265-senate-p-and-e
Gun Violence Prevention
SB2 Assault Weapon Ban – Full House of Delegates
Call to Action: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-the-virginia-house-of-delegates-to-vote-yes-on-sb2-to-ban-weapons-of-war/
Workers and Families
- HB212 Diverse Corporate Boards – Full House – Call to Action: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hb212-full-senate/
- SB393 Diverse Corporate Boards – House Labor and Commerce Committee – Call to Action: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/sb393-house-labor-and-commerce/
Environmental Justice
For Black History month, Roanoke City continues on their path of systemic racism by this past Monday’s Planning Commission vote to recommend the Evans Spring Master Plan to Roanoke City Council. The consultants the city hired didn’t include crucial information in their report such as climate risk and how the negative consequences of increasing the heat island effect and flooding could harm the surrounding predominantly Black neighborhoods. It also didn’t include Virginia identifying this area as a Conservation Priority and part of the Wildlife Action Plan. Learn more here.
- CTA1 – Use this easy portal to send an email to the members of Roanoke City Council.
- CTA2 – Sign this petition opposing the Evans Spring Master Plan.
- CTA3 – Encourage others to take action to save the Black neighborhoods surrounding Evans Spring by sharing this social media post.
Ukraine Aid/Foreign Aid Bill
Thank Senators Warner/Kaine and contact your House Member regarding supporting Ukraine Aid/Foreign Aid Bill – especially the red districts! There are two ways to pass President Biden’s Foreign Aid Bill: Plan A: Constituent Pressure on red districts to force Speaker Johnson to allow a vote (this is far preferable because it defuses the issue for future Washington political battles). Plan B: Discharge Petition of 218+ Members of Congress mostly led by Democrats. Find Your Senators & House Members (including shareable Virginia CTA graphic).
- Click Here to Take Action
- Sign up for future CTAs and Event Updates: https://tinyurl.com/vadefenders4ukraine
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, February 15th, 5:00pm
Legislative Working Group Meeting
Email Luisa to join: luisaboyarski@gmail.com
Saturday, February 17th, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Advocacy Fair
If you’re in Northern Virginia come out to an Advocacy Fair at the Cascades Library, Meeting Room A, from 10am-12pm on February 17th! Come meet organizers from over 15 fantastic state and local advocacy nonprofits and hear more about what they’re working on and how you can get involved! Coffee and light refreshments included, Spanish translation services available, and babysitting/activities for kids in nearby Meeting Room B. Register here
Monday, February 19th
Fund Our Schools Rally in Richmond
Fund Our Schools is a statewide coalition of parents, students, teachers, and organizations who believe that every child in every zip code across the Commonwealth of Virginia should have access to high-quality public education. Join us and our community partners as we call on lawmakers to prioritize fully and fairly funding public schools across the Commonwealth.
RSVP here
Wednesday, February 21 – 5:00pm
Voter Readiness Working Group Meeting
Zoom Link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/98422844279
Wednesday, February 21st, 7:00pm
Loudoun Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Great guest speakers, including: Sam Signori with update on Spanberger Campaign; Matthew McCormick with update on Kaine Campaign; and David Reid, Michelle Maldonado and Atif Quarni Candidates for CD10.
Email to receive Zoom link: loudounactivists@gmail.com
Thursday, February 22nd, 3:00pm
Help the Michigan Dems and Help Dems Hold the White House, the U.S. Senate, and Win Control of the U.S. House!
Michigan is a must win for Democrats this year! But support is eroding in some quarters. What to do? The Michigan Democratic Party leadership is highly effective, and will help all of the Dem Candidates. Join us for a special session with Michigan Party Chair Barnes and Executive Director Christy Jensen to learn what’s happening and how you can make a difference.
RSVP here If you can’t attend, please click HERE to contribute to this important cause.
Thursday, February 22nd, 6:30pm
Grassroots Leadership Call
Join Team Kaine’s field team as we celebrate YOUR tremendous work so far this year. We’ll provide an update on what we’ve done as a team, especially during this ballot access phase, and walk through where we envision the team going in the months ahead. We’ll also take time to answer any questions. RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/timkaine/event/604451/
Saturday, February 24 from 3:00 – 5:00pm in Falls Church
Tea and Postcard Party for Briana Sewell hosted by the Postcard Community
Briana Sewell, one of Postcards4VA postcard writers is running for Congress in Virginia in CD7. Postcards helped Briana when she ran in 2021 and was elected as a Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly. Postcards helped her get re-elected in 2023. Now, she is running for the Congressional District where she was born and raised. She has dedicated her career to serving the people of Prince William County and Virginia. Briana is a perfect fit for the 7th Congressional District. She knows the issues. She knows the people. She knows how to get things done. Check out this video about Briana. Once you watch it, you will understand why getting behind Briana’s candidacy is so critically important.
Saturday, February 24th, 5:00pm
M4A 101: Medicare For All Organizer Training Workshop
Join us for a virtual workshop and teach-in to help new organizers and activists learn about the dysfunctional US healthcare system, how Medicare For All would work to fix our broken system, and how you can join our campaigns in support of universal healthcare- including our efforts to pass Medicare For All Resolutions in Alexandria and Arlington. RSVP here
Wednesday, February 28th, 5:00pm
GO CD2 Meeting (Hampton Roads Grassroots Coalition)
Email Luisa to join: luisaboyarski@gmail.com
Sunday, March 3rd, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Fundraiser for Briana Sewell, Candidate for CD7
Briana has spent her career serving her community, including over five years as the district director to Congressman Gerry Connolly, and is currently a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, where she is highly respected among her colleagues. In 2023, she was named to the Council of State Government’s list of the 20 most effective lawmakers across the nation under 40 years old. Please join host Josh Kaplowitz and Special Guest Delegate Marcus Simon on March 3 to meet Briana and support her race.
To RSVP and make your contribution, please click here.
Sunday, March 3rd, 6:00pm
Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Email Luisa your agenda items, luisaboyarski@gmail.com
Zoom Link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/9842284427