RRFP Benefit Show with Sha Shakusky, Cellsaga, Wabeya, and more

Friday, March 10th 2017, from 8pm-2am, at Gallery 5 (200 West Marshall Street, Richmond VA), one of our local teams competing in the National Abortion Access Bowl-a-thon to raise money for the Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project, the Roomies, is holding a benefit show with bands and DJs. 

The line-up will feature: Sha Shakusky, CELLSAGA, Wabeya, The Parlor, and The Smirks. The evening will also include the unveiling of a new Elbow Room zine. 

Entry cost is a self-selected donation to the RRFP. You can donate online before the show, or at the door. 

For more info and to RSVP, see the link. 

Powerful Sista: Celebrating LGBTQ Women of Color Gathering

Tomorrow, Tuesday February 28th 2017, from 7-8:30pm, at Diversity Richmond (1407 Sherwood Avenue. Richmond VA), Rev. Lacette Cross and Chevelle Moss-Savage are holding a Black LGBTQ History Month event, "Powerful S.I.S.T.A.: Celebrating LGBTQ Women of Color Gathering." From the event description: 

"Come and share an evening of conversation, celebration and community. Participants will explore what it means to be Serious, Intentional, Supportive, Transformed and Anchored in the uniqueness of our identities and lived experiences." 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

Seas Are Rising, So Are We— Press Conference at the Virginia Capitol

Tuesday, February 28th 2017, from 12-1pm, at the Bell Tower on Capitol Square (101 North 9th Street, Richmond VA), the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter is joining with communities impacted by sea level rise to give a press conference outside of the governor's climate work group meeting. Join them to demand that our elected officials listen to the people who will be most harmed by sea level rise, not just the big polluters with big money. From the event description:

"Together we will ask that the governor urgently cuts carbon pollution in Virginia as sea level rise endangers Virginians’ public safety, financial security and well-being. We will call for carbon pollution from power plants to be reduced at least 30% by the year 2030."

For more info and to RSVP, see this link.

Support the Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park at City Council

Monday, March 13th 2017, from 6-7pm, at City Hall (900 East Broad Street, Richmond VA), the Sacred Ground Project of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality will be presenting a statement on the Community Proposal for a Nine-Acre Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park to city council. Immediately after the public comment period, there will be a community meeting, to discuss the next steps for moving the plan forward. 

Shockoe Bottom was once the hub of the domestic slave trade, but this history has gone largely unaddressed here in the former capitol of the Confederacy. Coming out of the successful 2011 struggle to reclaim the African Burial Ground from beneath a VCU parking lot, the community effort to preserve Shockoe Bottom's Black history has produced a plan for a memorial park. To hear about it, attend the council meeting, or check out the link below. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. If you're not able to attend yourself, please invite your friends. 

Blacksburg: New Food Not Bombs Chapter

Blacksburg folks:

Blacksburg is getting its very own Food Not Bombs chapter. To find out about Food Not Bombs NRV, you can attend the March 8th, 2017 interest meeting, taking place at 5pm at Virginia Tech. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

"Women in Transition" Financial Planning Educational Series at Diversity Richmond

Eileen Edmonds and Benson Group Tax & Wealth Advisors are hosting an educational series, "Women in Transition," in February and March. In this case transitions mean things like retirement, the death of a spouse, career changes, having a child, etc. Each of the events will be held from 6:30-7:30pm in the Iridian Gallery Conference Room at Diversity Richmond (1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond VA). 

February 15th 2017: "Women, Money, and Power: Are you a woman of influence?"
February 22nd 2017: "Social Security Planning for Women"
March 22nd 2017: "Three Stages of Widowhood: a Financial Seminar for Widows and Friends"

Register through the links. The entry fee is a donation of any size to Diversity Richmond, payable at the door. The venue is wheelchair accessible. 

I'm thinking the Active-RVA readership is probably younger than the intended audience, but here it is. If you plan to attend, drop me a line and let me know the listing was useful. 

Bystander Intervention Training for Restaurant Workers

Monday, February 27th 2017, from 12-3pm, in Virginia Rooms A & B of the VCU Monroe Park Campus Student Commons (907 Floyd Avenue, Richmond VA), VCU's Wellness Resource Center is holding a training on overcoming the bystander effect for workers at restaurants and bars. "Participants will gain skills to recognize, intervene, and support people who are in potentially unsafe situations or are being harassed." 

Free, open to the public. For more info, contact myoptions@vcu.edu. 

Undocumented Immigration and Trump's Executive Order: What we know as it pertains to Richmond

Jackie Kruszewski of Style Weekly has written this very useful article, "Giving Sanctuary: What We Know About Richmond’s Role in the Immigration Debate,"  about where the city of Richmond stands right now in regards to immigration. You should read the article, but I've included some of the most important take-aways in my explanation below. 

What is a sanctuary city, and why?

In the broadest sense, a "sanctuary city" is a municipality that has policies in place to avoid using local resources to prosecute undocumented immigrants for violation of federal immigration law, and to make public services available to people regardless of their status. This can mean different things: in some sanctuary cities, the police and sheriff's departments are instructed simply not to inquire about citizenship when they interact with the public, in others they're directed not to furnish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests for information or assistance on enforcing immigration laws, and in a minority of places, local law enforcement is directed not to surrender undocumented people for deportation. 

Generally, municipalities implement sanctuary policies because they understand that the system for legal immigration to the U.S. is broken such that obtaining status as a permanent legal resident is just not possible for many people; undocumented immigrants are here, they're going to be here are long as a legal option is out of reach, and since they're here, it's on our local governments to treat them humanely. Terrorizing communities where undocumented people are suspected to live with ICE raids, detentions, and deportations isn't humane. 

What did Trump do to threaten sanctuary cities?

On January 25th, Trump signed Executive Order 13768, titled "Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States." The order's couched in the assertion that undocumented immigrants are dangerous criminals whose presence in the country threatens the fabric of society. (The order doesn't suggest a region of origin or race for this wave of criminals, but the subtext provided by Trump's entire campaign makes it pretty clear that they mean for us to think of Latinos and people from the Middle East here.) 

What the order does is declare that: 1. sanctuary cities will have their federal funding cut off (and the Director of Homeland Security can decide which municipalities count as sanctuary cities), 2. deportations will be sped up, and 3. prioritizes the deportation of anyone convicted of, charged with, or suspected of a crime, or anyone an immigration officer judges to "pose a risk to public safety or national security." This appears to be broad enough to mean "anybody undocumented."

What is the situation of Richmond, and of Virginia as a whole?

Richmond is not a sanctuary city at the moment. Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham says that it is not the practice of RPD to ask about immigration status during routine policing, but this may not be reflected in the actions of officers on the ground. Mayor Stoney released a statement about inclusion and equal protection in the city last week (you can read it here), in which he outlined Richmond's existing policies and criticized the Trump administration's anti-immigrant rhetoric and two anti-sanctuary city bills going through the state legislature. It's a very solid statement.  

There are two bills currently in the Virginia General Assembly which pertain to sanctuary cities. HB 2000, sponsored by Del. Charles Poindexter (R), would make sanctuary city policies illegal under state law. SB 1262, sponsored by Sen. Dick Black (R), would make sanctuary cities legally liable for any crimes committed against a person or property by an undocumented immigrant. Both bills are still alive as of this writing. 

How do I help?

This section is not comprehensive. 

ICE Out of RVA, a grassroots group, is working on (among another things) getting Stoney's inclusion statement parlayed into policy changes. If you want to help, they are who to talk to.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, PLUMAS (Political Latinxs United for Movement and Action in Society) has been conducting Undocually trainings for people within the institution, and is promoting a petition to President Rao, urging him to support VCU's immigrant community by standing up to Trump (here's my post on the petition, which gives some additional context if you're not up on DACA). People unaffiliated with the university are encouraged to sign, too. 

That's the situation as I understand it so far. Did I miss something? Comment or shoot me an email at activerva@gmail.com.  

ICE Out of RVA: City Council Rally/Santuario para Todxs Demostración

Monday, February 13th 2017, from 4:30-5:30pm, at City Hall (900 East Broad Street, Richmond VA), ICE Out of RVA is holding a rally and press conference in support of establishing Richmond as a true sanctuary city. From the event description:

"On Monday, January 30th, over 400 Latinx, Black, Muslim, LGBTQ+ individuals, and allies from Richmond came together to send a message to local, state, and federal government that we, The People, stand together in solidarity and expect elected leaders to craft and support policies that create true Sanctuary Cities for ALL."

There will be an area designated for sunset prayer. For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

Full Heart Market at the Rag and Bones Bicycle Co-op

Tomorrow, February 12th 2017, from 6-9:30pm, at the Rag & Bones Bicycle Co-Op (3110 West Leigh Street, Richmond VA), the Rag & Bones Bicycle Co-op is holding their annual Full Heart Market. Wares from local artists and craftsmen will be on sale, there will be snacks, and DJ Julie Karr will provide music.

Rag & Bones is a local community DIY bike workshop space in Scott's Addition, and they're a frequent host for important political events. The venue is wheelchair accessible with a single-stall bathroom.

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

A statement: Solidarity Against Repression in Richmond, Virginia

The following statement was written by several organizations here in the city. Active-RVA is among the endorsers, the full list of which I will include when it becomes available. Give it a read.-- Kat

The City of Richmond has a long tradition of resistance and voicing dissent. As the former capital of the Confederacy, our city of Richmond was built by enslaved people and immigrants. The legacy of resistance is woven into our streets. From anti-war protests to reproductive rights, school funding and preserving public and sacred spaces, to now resisting the creeping fascism of the new presidency in 2017, Richmond has always been a city of resistors. 

We offer this statement with the intent to honor our past resistance and to stand together for future resistance in their face of growing repression both locally and nationally.

The Richmond Police Department, along with their partners at the Richmond Times-Dispatch and WTVR, recently engaged in a PR campaign against the resistance to the Trump Regime. A front page article in last Tuesday’s RTD, full of rhetoric and no clear evidence, declares that protesters who took the streets on January 20th had plans to block interstate 95 with trash and barricades.  

The article makes these claims even though the police raided a warehouse in Carver and admitted they had no real knowledge of what protesters’ plans were on that Friday. In addition, two trailers holding construction tools and materials were dumped upside down and destroyed by RPD during the raid.  

Neither the lease holder, nor the property owner, were informed of the warrant and subsequent search. All they got was the pleasure of coming back to their property being destroyed by agents of the state with no warning or legitimate cause given. It is strange that the RPD would go through the trouble of obtaining a warrant for what is, essentially, trash and debris.  It is even stranger to then have nothing remotely illegal happen at the J20 march, yet they have continued to feed this story to the press as if it’s worth reporting on. We congratulate the RPD on obtaining a warrant for trash.

Meanwhile, as Richmond anti-Trump marchers walked their route, a self-identified white nationalist followed and harassed the march. This white supremacist was armed, open carrying a handgun, being openly hostile while the police did nothing. This same night in Seattle, an anti-fascist protester was shot trying to break up fights at a protest against notorious Trump supporter, Milo Yiannopoulis. 

In this current climate, we must not take for granted that what happens nationally impacts what happens locally. Currently, a white nationalist, Steve Bannon, who also hails from our beloved city, sits at the head of the National Security Council and is Trump’s Chief Strategist. The local media has neglected to even mention the existence of the growing far-Right elements in the Richmond area, when these elements have proven themselves to be far more willing to carry out violence. Just last year, a plot to go on a rampage across the South against synagogues and black churches was uncovered just across the county line in Chesterfield. So while RPD kept Richmond “safe” from a peaceful demonstration, armed nationalists are allowed to harass people unchecked by the so-called authorities. Yet the media and police would have us believe that it’s from resistors that the City of Richmond needs to be “protected”.

This new wave of repression comes on the tails of attempts from the state to further intimidate the public for participating in common political protest. Two failed bills, SB 1055 and SB 1058, would have increased the penalties for remaining at any assembly the police deemed “unlawful” from a Class 3 to a Class 1 misdemeanor, and would have made blocking any highway during protest a felony. Though the bills failed to pass in the General Assembly, they are further evidence of growing intimidation against those who resist oppression. In this age of Trump, our right to dissent and to live our lives without fear of repression is essential. Mayor Stoney campaigned on the affirmation of Richmond as a sanctuary city, and we demand he uphold that for refugees, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community, those of every faith and all those who resist Trump. If Mayor Stoney does not support the repressive policies of the new Trump administration, then we demand he resist those policies. Just as we will not be intimidated by harsher sentencing or attempts at defamation as we resist, neither should he.

As Trump begins his sweeping executive orders to attack immigrants, Muslims, indigenous people, black communities, queer folks, the Earth, and other marginalized communities, those of us in Richmond who are ready must come together to resist this fascism, to protect each other, both nationally and here at home. When Mike Pence marches against reproductive freedom in Washington and Trump makes fun of the Women’s Marches, we must increase our commitments to each other to stand against the normalization of draconian policies around gender and reproductive health. 

We must protect each other against attempts to demonize people’s resistance, whether in the airports or in the streets. In the face of the Trump Era, we call on all those of good conscience to get active, to connect with others, and to help build power against Trump and the regressive world he is trying to build.

"Building Healthy Economies and Communities in the Age of Trump" with Anthony Flaccavento

Wednesday, February 22nd 2017, from 7-8:30pm, at the Main Branch Library (101 East Franklin Street, Richmond VA), the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, Sierra Club Fall of the James Group, Virginia Organizing, and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light are partnering to present Anthony Flaccavento, who will be speaking on "Building Healthy Economies and Communities in the Age of Trump." From the event description: 

"Anthony Flaccavento is an organic farmer and small business owner near Abingdon, Virginia. He has been working on community environmental and economic development in the region and around the nation for the past 30 years. In 1995, he founded Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), which became a regional and national leader in sustainable economic development, launching innovative enterprises in food aggregation and distribution, food access for lower income people, sustainable forestry and wood products and more." 

Free, open to the public. The venue is wheelchair accessible. For more info and to RSVP, see this link. To add this event to your Google Calendar, click here. 

Tressie McMillan Cottom: "The Rise of For-Profit Universities and Rising Inequality"

Wednesday, February 22nd 2017, from 4-6pm, at VCU's Cabell Library (901 Park Avenue, Richmond VA), VCU professor Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom will speak on for-profit universities. From the event description: 

"A much-needed examination of the recent expansion of for-profit universities, which have put millions of young people into serious debt at the beginning of their careers. Cottom links the rise of for-profit universities to rising inequality, drawing on her own experience as an admissions counselor at two for-profit universities, and interviewing students, activists, and senior executives in the industry."

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. To add this event to your Google Calendar, click here. 

Showing of "The Harvest" (2010)

Tuesday, February 21st 2017, from 1-3:30pm, at Main Library (101 East Franklin Street, Richmond VA), there will be a showing of the 2010 documentary film "The Harvest". From the event description: 

"The Harvest (Spanish: La Cosecha) is a 2010 documentary film about agricultural child labor in America. The film depicts children as young as 12 years of age who work as many as 12 hours a day, six months a year, subject to hazardous conditions: heat exposure, pesticides, and dangerous work. The agriculture industry has been subject to significantly more lenient labor laws than any other occupation in the United States. As a result, lack of consistent schooling significantly limits their opportunities of succeeding in high school or more. The hazardous conditions threaten their health and lives. The purpose of the documentary is to bring awareness of the harsh working conditions which tens of thousands of children face in the fields of the United States each year and to enact the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act, HR 3564) which will bring parity of labor conditions to field workers that are afforded to minors in other occupations."

Migrant farm workers are also often undocumented immigrants, which leaves them especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse from employers.

Free, open to the public. 

Screening of "GerryRIGGED: Turning Democracy On Its Head"

Monday, February 13th 2017, from 6:45-9pm, at VCU's Cabell Library (901 Park Avenue, Richmond VA), VCU's Robertson School of Media and Culture, the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, and OneVirginia21 are holding a screening of the documentary "GerryRIGGED: Turning Democracy on Its Head," on gerrymandering and efforts to enact redistricting reform. A reception and panel discussion featuring director/producer Bill Oglesby and OneVirginia2021 executive director Brian Cannon will follow. 

Free, open to the public. The venue is wheelchair accessible with accessible bathrooms in both sex-segregated multi-stall and unisex single-occupancy configurations. 

For more info and to RSVP, see the link. 

February 2017 edition of "Talk to the Editor," the Defenders radio show, with special guest Abayomi Azikiwe on the U.S. role in Africa

The radio show of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, "Talk to the Editor," will air today from 2-3pm on WCLM 1450 AM. Your host is Phil Wilayto, editor of the Virginia Defender, and this month's special guest will be Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Detroit-based Pan African News Wire. Azikiwe will speak about the U.S. role in Africa. 

The call-in number is 804-231-7685. You can tune in worldwide via this link. 

I'm a member of the Defenders, and this is going to be a great show; check it out! 

Friends of Side by Side Fundraiser for LGBTQ Youth at Helen's Restaurant

Sunday, February 19th 2017, from 6-9pm, at Helen's Restaurant (2527 West Main Street, Richmond VA), Friends of Side by Side is holding a fundraiser. Side by Side (formerly ROSMY) is an organization supporting LGBTQ youth locally. 

$10 at the door for unlimited beer and pizza (while supplies last). 21+ only. Street parking only. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

Screening of Ava Duvernay's "13th"

Saturday, February 18th 2017, from 2:30-5pm in Room 1107 of the VCU Academic Leaning Commons (1000 Floyd Avenue, Richmond VA), there will be a screening of Ava Duvernay's documentary film, "13th." From the event description: In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom."

Free, open to the public. The venue is wheelchair accessible with accessible bathrooms. 

For more information and to RSVP, see this link. To add this event to your Google Calendar, click here. 

VALHEN's Encuentro 2017: latinXchange Conference

Friday, March 3rd 2017, from 9am-6pm, at Virginia Commonwealth University (111 West Broad Street, Richmond VA), the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN) is holding their annual latinXchange conference. From the event description: 

"Join VALHEN for our Encuentro 2017: latinXchange, our annual conference/meeting to highlight and share the issues affecting our Hispanic/Latino communities, to network with outstanding Latinx professionals and college students, and to foster conversations on important educational issues in the Commonwealth." 

You must register to attend. I do not know details of registration costs at this time. 

For more info, see this link. Contact Elda Stanco Downey at elda@valhen.org with questions. To add this event to your Google Calendar, click here. 

Richmond Doula Project Interest Meeting

Monday, February 13th, from 7-10pm, at Studio Two Three (3300 West Clay Street, Richmond VA), the Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project's Richmond Doula Project will be holding an interest meeting for people who are interested in full-spectrum doula work for all reproductive outcomes. 

The Richmond Doula Project provides free emotional, spiritual, and physical support and education to all pregnant people, no matter the outcome of the pregnancy. For more info, see the link. The Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project is an all-volunteer private abortion fund serving Virginia. 

The venue has no stairs and a single-stall unisex bathroom. Childcare and carpool help available upon request. Email doulaproject@rrfp.net with comments or questions. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

Showing of "Liberty and Slavery: The Paradox of America’s Founding Fathers"

Thursday, February 16th 2017, from 6:30-8pm, at the Virginia Historical Society (428 North Boulevard, Richmond VA), there will be a screening of the film "Liberty and Slavery: The Paradox of America's Founding Fathers," followed by commentary from the director, Troy Thomas. 

Free, open to the public. This event is part of the annual "Created Equal Film Series". 

For more info, see this link. To add this event to your Google Calendar, click here. 

ART 180's Black Lives Matter Exhibit

Friday, February 3rd, from 5:30-8pm, at the First UU Church of Richmond (1000 Blanton Avenue, Richmond VA), ART 180 will unveil the works of 30 multicultural Richmond artists, which address racial justice and equality. 

Free, open to the public. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

"Standing Together: One Community, One Nation" with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

Sunday, February 5th 2017, from 3:30-5pm, at the Islamic Center of Virginia (1241 Buford Road, Richmond VA), the Islamic Center of Virginia, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, and Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy are holding a solidarity and unity program. From the event description: 

"The program will include speakers, testimonies, and calls to action. Note that this is not a political or partisan event, but will focus on our common values and commitment to standing together." The position of solidarity with communities under attack by Trump's administration, like immigrants and Muslims, is itself political, so take this as you will, I'm just relaying it. 

Free, open to the public. Free parking is available on site but carpooling is encouraged. 

For more information and to RSVP, see this link. 

Doing Political Work: the 3 Things You Need

In the wake of the presidential election, I'm seeing a lot of people at a loss about how to practically do politics. You can protest and petition and appeal to your public representatives alone, but that isn't all you can do. 

Broadly speaking, there are three things you need: 

1. Politics. What is your ideology? How should the world look? What analytical lens do you bring to the table? What are your goals? What are your principals? Solid politics helps you decide what needs to be done and find a path to action. Without a firm grip of this, 

2. Program. Political organizations that want to have a base in their community need to provide something, like a service, for a couple of reasons. It's a way to practice your politics, by making them real in the world. It's a way to gain trust, to prove that you're legitimate and worth joining up with. And it's a way to build your organization; people want to do something when they feel helpless, something that affects the world in a tangible way. 

3. Organization. Who does the work of making all this happen? Who decides what to do, and how? How do people join up? Who's answering the phone, storing the supplies, collecting the dues, staffing the office, arranging the carpool?

So to use a famous example, the Black Panther Party for Self Defense had all three of these things. Their politics were revolutionary socialism, Black liberation, anti-imperialism— this was articulated in the Ten Point Program. They had a bunch of programs guided by those politics, among them the neighborhood patrols to protect from racist police and vigilantes and the breakfast program for schoolkids. And finally, they had an organizational structure— a party with elected officials and regional chapters operating in different cities. 

Working together is crucial. You can get some things done as an independent actor, but barring extraordinary ability or circumstances, you're most likely to be the most effective if you're working in a group of some kind. Having a base is crucial; historically, the most powerful organizations are the ones based out of workplaces or neighborhoods: unions, block associations, religious congregations, tenant's organizations. 

It's hard, but people have done it before. 

Rally Against Trump's Supreme Court Nominee

Today, Wednesday February 1st 2017, from 6-7pm, at the Main Street SunTrust Building (919 East Main Street, Richmond VA), ProgressVA is holding a rally to ask Virginia's U.S. senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, to reject Trump's Supreme Court nominee. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link.