Week of 01/07/2024

Now
Postcards to Replace Santos!
From our Friends at Arlington Blue Families: Start 2024 off right by writing postcards to voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which is having a special election on Feb. 13 to replace a guy you might remember by the name of George Santos. A big win here would set the tone for November and make Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority even more uncomfortably narrow. They need to be written and sent by Feb. 3. We’ll email you instructions within 2-3 days of signing up. Sign Up Here

Friday, January 12th, 12:00pm
Virginia Grassroots Coalition Press Conference
Taking place during the Power Lunch. RSVP here

Sunday, Jan 14 from 2-3 pm
Monthly Protest at the NRA  11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 
GVP advocates will meet at the NRA for the monthly protest and vigil from 2-3 pm.  Bundle up as it will likely be cold!  Hope to see you there.

Monday, Jan 15 from 2-5 pm
Gun Violence Prevention Lobby Day MLK Day 
Please join Gun Violence Prevention advocates, from across Virginia, for the 32^ndannual MLK Jr GVP Lobby Day in Richmond.  Buses will be transporting people from Hampton Roads, Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Northern Virginia.  If you would like to be connected with the bus organizers, please send Martina Leinz an email with your name and the bus you’d like to take at: Martina [email protected] A flyer for Lobby Day is below.

Monday, January 15th 11:00am
Dr. King Day Celebration at Mount Olive Baptist Church – Arlington, VAhttps://mailchi.mp/arlingtonnaacp/2024mlk

Wednesday, January 17th, at 7:00 p.m
Join a 31st Street Swing Left zoom fundraiser to benefit Courier Newsroom 
31st Street is raising $120,000 to enable Courier Newsroom to hire a full-time, PA-dedicated “Content Organizer” to ensure that pro-democracy news reverberates statewide.  
RSVP::  https://mobilize.us/s/vKnUax
Contribute before, during or after the event through ActBlue: click link.
More on the Courier Newsroom Here

ACTIONS

RAISE YOUR VOICE BY SIGNING OUR GOOD GOVERNANCE PETITION 
In anticipation of Democracy Day, let’s make noise and let our legislators know that we care about making government work for all citizens, not just wealthy donors. Let’s ask our legislators to support legislation which will guarantee voting rights, promote transparency and accountability in campaign financing and ethics. Sign the petition and share it with your family, friends, and colleagues. We will deliver these petitions to your individual Senator/Delegate on Democracy Day. CTA: Sign here.

JAN 23, 2024 
JOIN BIGMONEYOUTVA’s SECOND DEMOCRACY DAY IN RICHMOND 
TWO CALLS TO ACTION – In 2020, Virginia ranked 46th in a SWAMP Index that ranked states’ rules ensuring transparency and accountability to its citizens. Until we change the way our government works, it’s almost impossible for us to seriously address other issues facing our society. Organized by a coalition of non-partisan partners, Democracy Day is a time for citizens to advocate for good governance bills including campaign finance reform, ranked choice voting, and voting rights. Join us on January 23rd to show legislators that we care about these important issues and expect action! Register here.                                                                                                

Join the Virginia Grassroots Coalition’s “Voter Readiness” Working Group
Goal: Reduce the Number of Provisional Ballots issued to Voters 
During the November election, there was a large increase in Provisional Ballots being issued at Polling Places – with a number of them being rejected due to Voter and/or Election Official error. The Virginia Grassroots Coalition is forming a working group focused on reducing the number of these ballots through the following (but not limited to) actions: well trained Voter Registration Gatherers; Poll Observers; Greeters and Election Officials in key (competitive) locations for the 2024 elections. To learn more about these efforts or sign up to help, please contact Kathleen Murray at:  [email protected]

WofA Membership Meeting – coming soon!

From NetWork NoVA
LOBBY DAYS & ACTIVITIES IN RICHMOND (MORE INFO: LOBBY DAYS LINK)
Wednesday, January 10th – Legislative Session Begins

• Wed, Jan 10 at 11am – Women are in the House Celebration w/ Network NOVA, NWPC-VA & Virginia NOW – Point of Contact: Stair Calhoun – [email protected] – Full info & RSVP
• Wed, Jan 10 at 5:00-7:30PM Network NOVA’s Women are in the House Happy Hour (5-7:30pm) at the Richmond Marriott’s Fall Line Kitchen & Bar. 
• Thurs, Jan 11 at 9am – Moms Demand and Students Demand Point of Contact: Mike F. – [email protected] – RSVP
• Thurs, Jan 11 at 7am – Justice Forward VA Justice Reform – Leg Priorities – RSVP
• Mon, Jan 15 – Gun Violence Victims, MLK Vigil (gun rights advocates will be there too)
• Mon, Jan 15 – Equality Virginia LGBTQ+ – Point of Contact: Kyleigh Hynes (Director) – [email protected], Katie Shaffer (MSW intern) – [email protected], Grace Kondo (MSW intern) – [email protected] –  RSVP
• Thurs, Jan 18 – Sierra Club Virginia Community Lobby Day –  RSVP
• January 21, We Won’t Go Back! Virginia’s List will celebrate the 51st anniversary of Roe v Wade at The Coalition Theater from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm with a night of actiontainment! 
• Mon, Jan 22 – Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance Advocacy Day RSVP:
• Tues, Jan 23 at 7am – Democracy Day (Good governance and campaign finance) – RSVP
• Jan 22nd Democracy Day Happy Hour 5-7pm at the Tobacco Company – Register in advance to get your drink ticket
• Tues, Jan 23 at 9am: Creatives on the Capitol w/ Del Jackie Glass – RSVP
• Mon, Jan 29 – Equality Virginia LGBTQ+ 
• Tues, Jan 30 & 31 at 7:45am – VCN Water Lobby Day + VCN Conservation Lobby Day (includes climate, energy & clean transportation bills/issues) – RSVP
• Tues, Feb. 6 at 8:00am – 12:30pm, Day of Action for Affordable Energy(VGC’s Climate & Clean Energy Working Group co-sponsor w/ Affordable Energy Coalition, Clean Virginia, Va. Organizing, CCAN, Va. IPL) Point of Contact: [email protected] RSVP

Tues, Feb 13 – Crossover

• Wed, Feb 14 at 8am – Planned Parenthood – Point of Contact: Alexis Gayle, RSVP
• Tues, Jan 9 at 7pm – Planned Parenthood Pre-Legislative Session Briefing
• Mon, Feb 19 – 4 Public Education Lobby Day: Rally at Belltower Point of Contact: Marianne Burke, PhD – CoFounder & Board Member with 4 Public Education, [email protected]

Sat, March 9 – Legislative Session Ends