Anti-Racist Roleplay with SURJ RVA: Preparing for the Holidays

Are you going to have to deal with some iteration of racist relatives this holiday season? Are you tired of just letting it go when your family members say something awful? Well, Showing Up for Racial Justice SURJ Richmond has some tips for having that talk.

Tuesday, December 19th 2017, from 7-9pm, in the basement of 1010 North Thompson Street, Richmond VA, Richmond's chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is holding a session to practice holiday conversations about race, share advice and strategies, and more.

Free, open to the public. Free childcare is available, but please contact childcare.surj.rva@gmail.com if you plan to use it. For more info and to RSVP, see the link.

Labor Day Rally with the Fight for $15

Ready to celebrate Labor Day right, with a rally for a higher minimum wage and union rights for all?

Monday, September 4th 2017, from 12-1:30pm, at the Plaza at Main Street Station (1500 East Main Street, Richmond VA), the Fight for $15 is celebrating Labor Day with a rally for union rights for all workers!

Family friendly, transportation available. Call Emily at (504) 502 2737 for more information.

Solidarity Iftar to Benefit Refugees

Friday, June 2nd 2017, from 8-10pm, at the First Congregational Christian United Church of Christ (4310 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield VA), there will be a Ramadan Solidarity Iftar. Bring a dish to share and enjoy a potluck meal. Featuring the comedy stylings of Amer Zahr. Donations will benefit ANERA, which is sending supplies to refugees in the Middle East. 

The event is co-sponsored by the Arab American Association of Central Virginia, Richmonders for Peace in Israel & Palestine, and the First Congregational Christian United Church of Christ. An iftar is an evening meal which breaks the daily fast during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. 

Free, open to the public. For more info, contact Nancy Wein at (804) 214-1399, or Adeeb Abed at (804) 691-1943. 

Reclaiming Cinco de Mayo/ Reclamando Cinco de Mayo

Para español, mira la pagina.

This Wednesday, May 3rd 2017, from 5-7pm, Wellness Events and Parties is holding an event discussing the history of the holiday Cinco de Mayo. Speakers include director Xemi the Two-Spirit and photographer Carlos Bernate.

Free, open to the public. Venue to be determined. This is a sober event.

For more info and to RSVP, see the link.

May Day 2017— RVA Schedule

Tomorrow, May 1st, is International Workers Day— happy May Day! Let's see what we've got on the schedule:

From 10:30am-8pm we've got May Day RVA: Creating Sanctuary for ALL/Santuario para Todos at Abner Clay Park (street parking only). Join ALL THE SAINTS THEATER COMPANY, ASH Antifa Seven Hills, Black Rose / Rosa Negra - RVA, No ACP, Democratic Socialists of America - Richmond, the Fight for 15, ICE Out of RVA, ProgressVA, Richmond Struggle, Southerners On New Ground, The Virginia Defender, and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy for events all day, including an interfaith vigil, art and cultural showcases, and a solidarity march.

From 4-8pm, chow down at the May Day Cookout!

And finally, from 5:30-8:30pm, march or watch the MAY DAY PARADE! International Worker's Day Richmond! , a yearly staple. This one's especially fun for the kids (though the really little ones might benefit from ear protection, since it's often very loud!).

Let's get out there, show our numbers, and rededicate ourselves to the fight! Solidarity forever!

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. 

Roe v. Wade Day

Today is Roe v. Wade Day, the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court case which ruled that a person’s right to privacy includes the right to an abortion, up until the point of fetal viability (legally, 24 weeks). Any attempt to restrict access to abortion before 24 weeks, such as the 20-week ban currently going before the Virginia General Assembly (HB 1473), is unconstitutional. 

This is extremely significant; before legal abortion was available, people who needed the procedure obtained it any way they could, often from people with limited or nonexistent medical training. These backalley procedures frequently resulted in death by infection or hemorrhage. Read more here.

RIHD Annual Holiday Gathering

Saturday, December 10th 2016, from 5-8pm, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church (1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond VA), Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged (RIHD) is holding their annual holiday celebration. Families of prisoners and the formerly incarcerated are invited for food and fellowship. 

Free, open to the public. 

To RSVP, email Ms. Brenda at brendajrihd@gmail.com. 

Showing Up for Racial Justice Richmond: White Anti-Racist Thanksgiving Conversations Practice

Tuesday, November 22nd 2016, from 8-10pm at the First UU Church of Richmond (1000 Blanton Avenue, Richmond VA), Showing Up for Racial Justice RVA (SuRJ RVA) is holding a training and practice session for white anti-racists to prepare for confronting racism and bigotry during holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving. From the event description: 

"Thanksgiving can provide a unique opportunity for white folks to engage in meaningful dialogue with friends and family around racial justice. SuRJ RVA wants to provide an opportunity for you to come practice your arguments, refine your comments, and prepare yourself for real conversations around racial justice." 

Free, open to the public. For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

Trans Holiday Dinner at Diversity Richmond

Wednesday, December 7th 2016, from 7-9pm, at Diversity Richmond(1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond VA), TDOR RVA is hosting a trans holiday dinner for Richmond's transgender community. Free. RSVP by November 30th.

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

International Black Solidarity Day

Today, the first Monday in November, is International Black Solidarity Day.

This day was established and first celebrated in 1969 at Brooklyn University. It was inspired by Douglas Turner Ward’s satirical play Day of Absence (1965), in which the true economic, social, and political power of a small Southern town’s Black community is revealed when they all disappear for one day, throwing the town into turmoil. Since then, other means of celebrating Black Solidarity Day have arisen, ranging from demonstrations to educational events to drives relating to voting. In some places, it is observed as an actual day of absence from school and work.

This observance is held the first Monday of each November because, in the United States, Election Day is held the day after. The day was intended to be a time of discussion regarding the political needs and direction of Black communities.

It is traditional to mark this day by wearing black, or wearing black or silver ribbons. You can learn more here at BlackAcademics.org.

Abolish Columbus Day

Image from the American Indian Movement of Colorado.