The April 12, 2024 Friday Power Lunch had a conversation about tools, tactics, and current events to best position our work. Our opening music video featured animated spring flowers dancing to “Building Me Up Buttercup” by the Foundations. Watch the entire podcast episode here. You can also listen to an audio version of the program on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
- SENATOR TIM KAINE kicked off his campaign last week with 26 events over six days. He reflected on how nature, like the solar eclipse, can be a unifying force. His new book, “Walk, Ride, Paddle A Life Outside,” reflects this viewpoint and is a love letter to Virginia. Kaine also shared how after he ran on the ticket with Hillary Clinton in 2016, he had a desire to go deeper and not seek higher office. He spoke about how the Kaine campaign would connect with the grassroots and coordinate with the Biden campaign and many other campaigns at the local level. Kaine reinforced we need to work together to get everyone elected up and down the ballot.
- DEEPAK PURI, founder of Democracy Labs, an organization that finds and creates free tech tools to help progressive organizers who don’t have the skills to create short, engaging, and timely graphics and content about important issues to share on social media. Deepak demonstrated two tools. First, how to create a rapid response gif (click here for an article about this resource.) Then he showed how to create an audio message using AI-generated speech with Audyo (click here for an article about this resource). Deepak ended by inviting organizers to contact him with questions.
- GENE ROSSI, our favorite legal analyst, discussed the Trump hush money case that starts on April 15th. Rossi shared one word about Trump’s upcoming trial – Guilty! Stormy Daniel’s former attorney, Keith Davidson, who negotiated the hush money payment, will be a key witness to share who was involved and provide context to events surrounding the payment before the 2016 election. Rossi also explained the crimes committed by Trump and why he will be found guilty.
- NICK KNUDSEN, founder of Demcast, the largest and most impactful organic digital amplification network in the world, spoke about how we can amplify our message this election cycle. Demcast is engaged on many social media platforms beyond X (former Twitter) and partners with other advocacy groups. They provide a library of assets for sharing on social media. Demcast has also created a community on the Reach app.
- DELEGATE MARCUS SIMON, HD13 – County of Fairfax, gave us an inside look into Governor Youngkin’s 153 vetos, 233 budget amendments, and 110 bills with amendments. On average, past Governors have vetoed eight to 20 bills per legislative session. He shared a document comparing, by the Commonwealth Institute, what was passed by the General Assembly and the Governor’s proposed changes.
BADASS Briefing
The 2024 VA Legislative session officially ended on March 8th. Sixty of the Virginia Grassroots Coalition’s priority bills passed both chambers. Please check out our work on Virginia Grassroots.
Our very own Andrea Miller, Center for Common Ground built Activote. It checks your voter registration (have you moved, has your registrtation lapsed?), lists every bill in your states General Assembly, every candidate on your ballot, has position questions to help you know who aligns with your positions, it’s full circle info and civics in your pocket! It’s really quite remarkable; please check it out today and share with 10 friends!
Onward,
Stair
CALLS TO ACTION
Support Collective Bargaining for Virginia Beach City Employees!
After a 3-year long struggle, the city workers are on the verge of a historical breakthrough for workers fairness, dignity and safety on the job. Mayor Dyer has announced that the Collective Bargaining ordinance will be voted on April 16. We need you urgent support!
CTA: Send a letter to City Council Today
Campaign Finance Call to Action: Please share with your groups.
Did you know that all campaign finance bills died in this Virginia General Assembly, some without being heard or voted on? Virginia is ranked 46 out of 50 in the 2020 Coalition for Integrity’s SWAMP Index and we, the People, ask for good governance reform. Click here to send a message to your Virginia legislators, the Governor, as well as your representatives in Congress. Let them know that this is not okay. Contact nancyruthmorgan@gmail.com for questions
Monday April 15th at 6:30pm – COVA Conversations: Gun Reform, Public Schools and Local Elections!
All Politics is Local — community connection action in Coastal VA: gun reform progress report from the 2024 General Assembly with Susan Loesberg; Extremist Alert- Part 2! VB School Board and Budgeting with Melissa; and Local Elections Info for Chesapeake, Norfolk and VB.
RSVP to receive the Zoom Link
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/4beh5btlB
Tuesday, April 16th – 7:00pm
Loudoun Grassroots Coalition MeetingZoom link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/99682557736
Tuesday, April 16th, 8:00pm
Grassroots Collaboration Project April General MeetingThe meeting’s topic: The GCP’s No One Gets a Pass in 2024 Initiative. Specifically, we will be discussing ways to ignite more activism among men. Robert Hubbell is our guest speaker to lead off discussion on this topic, with Tom Benthin (a grassroots group and grassroots group alliance leader from CA), presenting on discussions among men that the GCP has organized and the agenda for the next discussion. Note that a new member orientation occurs from 7:30-8:00 pm ET and the meeting begins at 8:00 pm ET.
RSVP Here
Wednesday, April 17th, 5:00pm
GO CD2 Meeting (Hampton Roads Grassroots Coalition)
Zoom Link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/93568287203
Thursday, April 18th, 5:00pm
Legislative Working Group MeetingJoin us to debrief the legislative session and share our lessons learned.
Zoom Link:https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/98422844279
Thursday, April 18th, 6:00pm
Elections Working Group Meeting
Zoom Link:https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/98422844279
Friday, April 19th at 5pmVeterans for Tim Kaine Rally
RSVP – https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dpva_vamf
Saturday, April 20th, 1pm – 4pm
LCV: Hampton Roads Earth Day FestivalJoin families from across northern Chesapeake for an afternoon of fun, learning, and celebrating our Earth! Free and open entry to the public.RSVP – https://mobilize.us/s/EiGsmn
Sunday, April 21st, 1:00pm
LCV: Virginia Wesleyan Green FestGreen Fest celebrates Earth Day and is an immersive and engaging festival for all ages celebrating sustainability, community, and the beauty of our planet.RSVP – https://mobilize.us/s/pWCctN
Thursday, April 25th at 6:00pm
LCV: Hampton Roads Happy HourJoin Climate Action VA for Volunteer Appreciation Week including environmental trivia and prizes! RSVP – https://mobilize.us/s/Tvm7GxMonday, April 29th, 6:30pm
Postcard Writing Party with COVA CoalitionAt Vessel Craft Coffee in Norfolk
FB Event:https://fb.me/e/5rdtHHd7C
Saturday, May 4th, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Community Organizers’ Summit at Cascades Library If you’re interested in attending please use this form to help us plan an event that will be as productive and beneficial as possible for all in attendance. The goal is to connect as many Northern Virginia organizers as possible in one room so that we can strategize together and find collaboration opportunities. Note that this summit will not be open to the public or to candidates/elected officials, pre-register here.
DPVA Rural Retreat – Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center – May 3-5
Join us for the New Rural Caucus May 3-5 at for a jam packed weekend with Rural Democrats where we will learn, hear, speak and share with each other innovative strategies on how to work and win in rural areas. We will be joined by a host of Democratic candidates and elected officials from across the Commonwealth!
Don’t miss the Rural Power Lunch with Katherine White and Finale Norton.
Wednesday, May 22, 6:00pm – Reception for Abigail Spanberger for Governor
at the home of Shashi and Margaret Gupta. RSVP HERE
