Week of 1/19/2025

Week of January 19th

Thursday, January 23rd – 7:00PM
Virginians for Reproductive Freedom (VRF) Webinar
We know that the recent presidential election has left many feeling uncertain and anxious about the future of reproductive rights. While this webinar will stay focused on the path forward here in Virginia, we’ll also acknowledge the broader challenges ahead and how together, we can rise to meet them. Registration link is HERE (it will take you to a landing page with a Planned Parenthood header)

Tuesday, January 21st in Richmond
Sign Up for Virginia Democracy Day 2025
Do you support campaign finance and ethics reform, ranked choice voting, and access to the ballot? Come join BigMoneyOutVA and an informal coalition of good governance partners, like the LWVers, RepresentUS, UpVote, Veterans for all Voters, etc to advocate in support of these issues on our 3rd Democracy Day. More info and RSVP here

Thursday, January 23rd, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Freedom Virginia Lobby Day 2025
Join Freedom Virginia for our 2025 lobby day! On the morning of January 23rd, we will be meeting with legislators to encourage them to support legislation regarding paid family and medical leave, banning hidden fees, and fair taxes on millionaires and billionaires. Your voice is vital in this conversation. At 8am, we will meet in front of the General Assembly Building to break out into groups and review materials. Light breakfast snacks will be provided. Then, from 9-11 am, we will meet with legislators. Each group will lead three meetings. To prepare you for your meetings, we will be hosting a virtual training on Wednesday January 15 at 7:30 pm. We ask that you do your best to attend. RSVP Here

Monday, January 27th, 5:30pm
Reception in support of Abigail Spanberger for Governor (North Arlington)
Abigail has fought hard for everyday Virginians (and for our democracy) in Congress, and she is just the person to lead us to another Virginia Democratic trifecta this November and serve as a crucial bulwark against the Trump Administration. Join us on January 27th to meet Abigail and hear how she plans to lead the great Democratic comeback. This is going to be a brutal campaign, and Abigail is going to need significant resources to get her message out and fight back against the inevitable Republican smears. RSVP here

Wednesday, January 29th, 7:30pm
Volunteer Kickoff Call with Special Guest: Abigail Spanberger
The team will provide an update on the petition collection process, future volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events. Learn how you can help elect Abigail as our next Governor. There’s a role for everyone! You can also sign up for future weekly meetings using this same link. RSVP here

Thursday, January 30th, 7:00pm
31st Street 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Fundraiser
As a result of the win for Justice Janet Protasiewicz in 2023, Wisconsin has had a major positive turnaround, including fair legislature seats, that led to a pick up of 14 Dem seats in 2024. But now we have to maintain the 4-3 progressive majority, by electing Judge Susan Crawford. Doing so should lead to fair mapping of US House districts and a potential pick up of 2 US House seats. Join us! Zoom Link for the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83592664427
Donate to 31st Streets groups in WI:
• Power to the Polls Wisconsin
• Western Native Voice

Saturday, February 8 
Save the Date! WofA Indivisigather!
Join WofA Membership and Friends as we come together and carve a path forward. We will have various workshops; break outs and other activities to inspire and educate everyone. You will leave feeling more empowered knowing YOU can make a difference! Details to follow shortly!

Wednesday, February 8th, 7:00pm
Spanberger for Governor Grassroots Coalition’s February 2025 virtual meeting
We will be discussing the petition stage of collecting signatures to get Abigail on the ballot during this meeting. Please come ready to share some of your stories about what is working and what areas others can adapt to ensure a successful collection of signatures! We will be providing a more complete agenda closer to the meeting. As always, please reach out if you have any ideas, questions, or comments. And if someone you know wants to join the Spanberger for Governor Grassroots Coalition, please email Brandon Thurner at bthu…@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 22nd, 9:30am
RISE Summit
The annual ‘Rise To’ Summit brings together local and state leaders, organizers, activists, students, and community members to tackle the issues that stand in the way of progress and a more equitable future for our community and nation. The summit aims to engage the next generation by raising awareness, showing them how they can get involved, and instilling in them the idea that their voice matters. This year’s summit will be held at Rock Ridge High School on Saturday, March 22nd. It is a safe and welcoming space, and all are invited to attend.
• There is no entrance fee.
• We are collecting items for Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, our spotlight organization.
• Lunch and snacks are provided.
• All money raised goes to ‘The Women and Gender Studies Scholarship’’.
RSVP Here

June 27-29, 2025
Save the Date: 9th Annual WOMEN’S SUMMIT
Location: Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/pe3nsyb7

ICYMI & ACTIONS

For more Actions and VA News, go to Virginia Grassroots Coalition

Courtroom Monitoring Volunteers Needed 1/21 – 1/24 
Virginia Indigent Defense Commission is seeking volunteers to participate in a short-term courtroom monitoring program the week of Inauguration (Jan 21-24). Currently, ICE enforcement is prohibited inside of courthouses. However, the incoming presidential administration has made clear that ICE enforcement will resume inside of courthouses as early as January 21st. Public defenders have a constitutional obligation to advise their noncitizen clients of the immigration consequences related to pending criminal charges. If ICE is arresting and detaining people inside the courthouse, this is an immigration consequence that would impact many of our clients who have pending criminal cases. Because public defenders are often juggling several cases in different courtrooms, they do not have capacity to observe whether ICE is present in the courthouse. This is further complicated by the fact that ICE agents are often wearing plainclothes when they are present in the courthouse. We are seeking volunteers to observe potential ICE activity in courthouses throughout Virginia the week of inauguration. To be clear, these volunteers would not engage with ICE. We are merely looking for information about potential ICE activity so that public defenders can adjust their immigration advisals accordingly.
TAKE ACTION – Watch the following training, which goes over context and logistics for the event. After you’ve watched the training, sign up for a 2-hour shift here.
Where will courtroom monitoring take place? Criminal courthouses in Alexandria, Arlington, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Harrisonburg, Prince William, and Richmond. Volunteers will be provided with a sign up form after completing the training linked above. What is the time commitment? Volunteers would commit to at least one 2-hour shift (morning or afternoon) in one courthouse. These shifts would occur between Tuesday, January 21st through Friday, January 24th. Upon completion of their shift, volunteers would complete a short observation form that can be completed online. The form should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Who can participate? This volunteer opportunity is open to anyone who is not a member of the media or press, prosecutor, law enforcement official, or an employee of the Department of Homeland Security. You do not need to be a lawyer to participate.

From Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG0 CEO, Brian Bond:
• Contact your state legislators and tell them to respect trans kids. Regardless of where you live, this message is important for legislators to hear
• Start attending your school and library board meetings to tell your local officials that their priority should be creating safe and inclusive school environments for all. 
• Watch Advocacy at All Levels: Making Your PFLAG Voice Heard. Our most recent PFLAG Academy Online training will teach you the ins and outs of the legislative process and how you can make a difference. 
• Sign up for your local state equality group newsletters to stay up to date on what’s happening in your state.

 List of DNC candidates:
DNC Forums and Chair Candidate Web Sites: https://linktr.ee/bluevictorywarroomDemocracy Docket has some good interviews with candidates.