Week of 2/16/25

I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. — Elie Wiesel

EVENTS

Tonight, Tuesday, February 18th 8:00PM
Protect, Resist and Build with American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Registration Info HERE.

Wednesday, February 19th, 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Florida Special Elections – Indivisible Kickoff Call!
Join Indivisible as they kick off their Special Election program leading up to the April 1st elections for Congressional Districts FL-01 and FL-06! Join the Kickoff Call HERE.

Friday, February 21st, 12:00pm
Power Lunch 
RSVP here

Saturday, February 22nd  12:00PM – 5:00PM
Feel the Heritage Festival – Arlington
Info HERE

Saturday, February 22nd 3:00-5:00pm
Phone bank: recruit signature collection volunteers for Spanberger for Governor
10,000 petition signatures (with a minimum of 400 from each congressional district) are required to qualify Abigail for the ballot. No experience? No problem! Each session begins with training and the script is provided. Callers will need a phone and laptop or computer (for optimal experience). RSVP Here  

Sunday, February 23rd  3:00PM – 5:00 PM
Jay Jones Meet and Greet – Arlington 
Join us for a casual afternoon gathering to meet Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones, hear about his vision for Virginia, and sign the petition to help get him on the ballot! RSVP Here

Monday, February 24, 2025, 7:00PM – 9:00PM
NAACP – All Branch February General Membership Meeting:
Virtual on Zoom

February 26th, 5:00PM – 7:00PM
WofA Happy Hour – Courthaus Social – 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Join WofA & Friends as we let off some steam; quench our thirst and conspire further!

Thursday, February 27th, 7:00pm|
Senator Barbara Favola Virtual Townhall
RSVP Here to Receive Link

Tuesday, March 4th, 6:00pm
How to Start a Solidarity Fund to Fight ICE
You can use donations and funds to build power and fight ICE. Learn how in SiembraNC’s 2 hour virtual training. If you can’t make it live but still want to learn more, we got you – just RSVP, and we’ll send you the recording and more information after. RSVP Here

Monday, March 10th 6:30PM – 8:00PM|
WofA Membership Meeting – Arlington, VA
Join WofA and Friends as we continue our fight against the Regime’s continued Coup attempts and ACT on a number of great suggestions generated at our last meeting. Info: Clarendon Presbyterian Church, 1305 N Jackson St, Arlington. The meeting will take place in “The Sanctuary” (main/upper level) – enter through the rainbow ramp door off of the parking lot. Clarendon Metro (.3 miles – 7 minute walk). You can park in the lot (GPS address next door to 1308 North Irving Street Arlington VA 22201) or on the street. 

March 15, 12:00PM – Northern Virginia
Lily Franklin Luncheon
This seat is a must-win for Democrats to expand their control in the Virginia House of Delegates and will have major implications for access to abortion throughout the Commonwealth. If she wins, Lily will be the first Democratic woman to represent Southwest VA in her lifetime! RSVP Here

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. RSVP Here

Saturday, March 22
Abigail Spanberger for Governor Reception – Central/ N.Arlington
Please join friends and neighbors as we show our support for Abigail Spanberger’s Campaign for Virginia Governor. This November’s race is crucial to keeping Virginia safe from the ongoing assault by the current President and his posse. For more information and to RSVP or Donate, please see: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/asfg032225

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

Make a Difference Right Now

Black Consumer Advisory
The NAACP issued the Black Consumer Advisory to inform and caution Black consumers about the ongoing and intentional rollback of nationwide diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.

PHONE CALLS MATTER!
Calls to Congress are the most effective way to use our voices and communicate with our elected reps. Below are several options you can use to easily call and leave a message, or speak with a staff member. Our representatives’ offices record all calls and consider them when casting their votes and assessing their positions. We need to keep using our voices, loudly and repeatedly! Stay engaged and influence your representatives’ actions through direct communication and by mobilizing others regularly. Below are a few simple and easy options to contact your reps.

5 Calls/ 5 Minutes/ 5 Shares – can be done daily, if so inclined!
5 Calls: Take 5 minutes to make 5 calls to your representatives through 5Calls.org . You choose your topics, 5Calls provides scripts and phone connections to your reps. Check out 5 Calls HERE.
Share the Action: After taking action, share with 5 or more friends or family members – especially those with Republican representatives or in Red (Republican) States. Ask them to act and share with 5 people in their network.  

Indivisible Actions
Resistance-leading Indivisible’s website has specific messages for you to communicate with your Senators and Representatives offices, and includes scripts and a form that will automatically connect your phone with their offices. Check Indivisible out HERE.   

Virginia Grassroots Coalition
A great resource for elections; calls to action; rallies and more
https://virginiagrassroots.org

Chop Wood/Carry Water
Sign up for this daily email that includes a couple of call actions for the day, scripts, links to reps offices, as well as a great summary of developments

STATE Calls to Action

Support Budget Amendment to hold Data Centers’ Feet to the Fire; Oppose Budget Amendment that provides them more giveaway
We strongly supported a pair of bills that would tie the lucrative tax incentives for data centers to improved energy efficiency and use of clean energy. Unfortunately, both were killed. However, a budget amendment by Senator Deeds would bring this requirement back – which we strongly support. We strongly oppose a budget amendment added by Delegate Kilgore that would continue tax giveaways until 2050 without any strings attached. Click Here to Take Action

Support Budget Amendments for Public School Funding
Amendments are being made to the current budget proposed by the Governor and the House and Senate money committees. Although many of the education bills are being defeated in the legislative chambers, some important education issues still are being addressed in Virginia’s Budget. Amendments to the current budget are proposed by the Governor and the House and Senate money committees and are provided on page 3 at this link. The proposed amendments for priority issues and the amendments preferred by 4 Public Education are provided provided here. Click Here to Take Action

Protect Medicaid in Virginia
Over 630,000 Virginians will lose their health insurance, if the current administration reduces funding to the states. Tell Virginia Legislators to include language in the final budget allowing time to weigh options for preserving Medicaid expansion…before anyone is automatically disenrolled. Send this message to Legislators [Commonwealth Institute]

Protests & Rallies

• For an Updated List of Upcoming Resistance Events Click HERE.
• Updated List from 50501 HERE.
• Many Current Rallys/Actions can be found on https://www.mobilize.us and WofAʻs Private Facebook Group.

Tuesday, February 18th – 4:00PM – 6:00PM
HEY HEY, HO HO, ELON MUSK HAS GOT TO GO! – Tesla Dealership S. Arlington
Join fellow outraged Americans in a peaceful protest – likely recurring – against Elon Musk’s takeover of OUR government!  Protest will take place on the sidewalk across from the S. Arlington Tesla dealer.  We’ll spread out – NOT blocking the sidewalk – on the east side of S. Glebe Rd. just north of Four Mile Run.  Bring your signs and your voice. Street parking is available in the neighborhoods behind and across from Tesla.  Expect to walk a couple of blocks. By bus:  Metro 10B, Metro 23B / 23T, ART 87. 

Wednesday, February 19th  8:00AM – 10:PM
Save Our Services (SOS) Day of Action – Say No to Elon
Join Federal Workers and everyday Americans as we come  coming together to say NO to Elon Musk’s push to gut federal services and impose mass layoffs. Sign up HERE.

Resources & Information

Resources for Federal Workers
• Federal employees still in their probationary periods at many agencies were fired last week. More firings are expected this week. If you have been let go (Advice from the AFL CIO): Apply for UCFE (Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees) Fact sheet
• If you are still working – Prepare w. A Go Bag [American Foreign Service Association]
General Advice:
• Civil Service Strong, see some of the essential available resources, centralized for the first time.
• Resources for Federal Workers [Sen. Mark Warner]

ICYMI

General Assembly Update HERE – Sen Barbara Favola

Check out this instagram reel
Sen Warner on the CFPB ! It’s a snappy, plain language explanation of what’s at stake if the CFPB is shut down.

House Tables Push to Add Fairfax to Eligible Casinos List in Virginia, article HERE.

Lobby Days with Senator Warner’s Office (Monthly Zoom)
RSVP HERE 

WofA MEMBER SURVEY We want to hear from YOU.  This survey is your space to let us know how you want to contribute, share your ideas for new initiatives, and highlight the skills and expertise you bring to the table. Together, we’re building something extraordinary that will make our community, states and country better. It only takes a few minutes to complete this survey, and your voice is invaluable in shaping the next steps for WOFA-VA. Let’s continue to be the ones who show up! When we fight! We win! SURVEY HERE        

Yard Sign Order Form (Buttons Sold Out)
Order HERE.

Best practices when posting on WofA’s Facebook page.
Reminder: “WofA” stands for “We of Action” please consider the following before posting on WofA’s Facebook:
• Is this related to an Action that one can take?
• Is there a link to or complete information detailing the action?
• Is the action coming from a known and trusted source?
If the answer is “no” to even just one of the 3 questions above, please refrain from posting! Remember: This is not a place for news articles, parody pieces, or unverified content. Let’s keep it focused on what we can actively engage with and support. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to action!

From our Friends Swing Left:
Make Phone Calls to Get Out the Vote for Judge Susan Crawford:  
Training and phone banks are offered every Monday evening 6-8 pm ET and every Thursday evening 5:30-7:30 ET.  Good training provided.
Monday trainings:  https://www.mobilize.us/swingbluealliance/event/751041/
Thursday trainings: https://mobilize.us/s/kjpq1R

Find/Follow WofA:

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Donate to WofA 
If you find yourself with some spare change, please feel free to contribute to keeping meeting spaces rented; website fees paid and much more. Donate HERE.