Two vital State Water Control Board meetings this week

We've got two important State Water Control Board meetings coming up tomorrow and Tuesday (December 11th and 12th 2017). The Water Control Board will be considering- and attempting to approve- permits for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Last week, they rubber-stamped approvals for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has not yet had a substantive environmental impact review. Go over to No ACP, Free Nelson, and Appalachian Voices for more information. It's very important that the public show up to oppose this pipeline; come for a day, come for an hour, just come for however long you can.

Both the December 11th and 12th meetings will begin at 9:30am, and be held at the Trinity Family Life Center (3601 Dill Road, Richmond VA).

If the meeting regarding the Mountain Valley Pipeline is any indication, there will be a substantial police presence.

Pipelines and other fossil fuel related infrastructure are dangerous. Not just in terms of leaks and explosions, although those things will definitely happen and definitely devastate the communities and ecosystems around the project, but in terms of the existential threat posed by climate change. Every multi-billion-dollar pipeline like this is the energy industry doubling-down on climate-change-accelerating power sources. Do you think Dominion Power will bother investing in renewables if it's got a pipeline to send natural gas to harbors for export? Of course not; renewables just aren't a substantive part of their plans, not because they're untenable, but because they will be somewhat less profitable during the transition. We can't just sit by while the architects of the climate apocalypse speed up the disaster.

"The Virginia Roots of Today's Radical Right and the Crisis of American Democracy," with Professor Nancy MacLean

Wednesday, December 13th 2017, from 7-9pm at VCU's Cabell Library (901 Park Avenue, Richmond VA), historian and author Nancy MacLean, of Duke University, will give a talk based on her new book, which asserts that the modern far right traces its ideological roots to the capitalist economist James McGill Buchanan. 

Free, open to the public, but you must register. 

To register and for more information, see this link. 

2017 Economic Justice Forum

Saturday, December 16th 2017, from 10am-3pm, in Richmond, the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, Virginia Latina Advocacy Network, and others are holding an day-long event to discuss economic justice issues, including student loan debt, affordable housing, raising the minimum wage, access to healthcare, and wage theft. 

Venue to be determined. Free. 

For more information and to RSVP, see this link. 

Screening of "Documented: a Film by an Undocumented American" (2013)

Thursday, November 30th 2017, from 6:30-9pm, at the Virginia Historical Society (428 North Boulevard, Richmond VA), there will be a screening of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas’ 2013 film, "Documented: a Film by an Undocumented American." In this documentary, Vargas chronicles his childhood journey from the Phillipines to the U.S., his role in the fight for immigration reform, and his reunion with his mother, who he hadn’t seen in 20 years. 

Free. Street parking only. 

For more information and to register, see this link. 

VCUarts Adjuncts Organizing for Fair Pay

Check out the Facebook page for VCUarts AOFP, the VCUarts Adjuncts Organizing for Fair Pay, and their website. 

Non-tenure-track faculty do much of the work in institutions of higher education (and make up two-thirds of the faculty), but are paid poverty wages. The average pay for adjunct teaching positions in the U.S. is $30,000 per year and some positions have benefits— by contrast, the average yearly pay for VCUarts adjunct instructors is $10,000 with no benefits. Of the top 10 arts schools in the country (of which VCU is consistently ranked in the top 3), VCU is dead last for adjunct pay. Tuition keeps going up: what's the administration spending it all on?

This is relevant even if you aren't a VCU adjunct or student. As one of the largest employers in the city, the university helps "set" wages. When VCU employees win better pay, it gives other workers in the area another lever to use to exert pressure on their employers. 

Books For a Better World: "Sis, You OK?" with Nikkea Shareè

Tomorrow, Tuesday November 14th 2017, from 6:30-8pm, at the Hull Street Library (1400 Hull Street, Richmond VA), the library will be holding the final event of the Books for a Better World Series. This event will include a screening of the short documentary, "Sis, You OK?", followed by a discussion with creator Nikkea Shareè. This film addresses domestic violence and mental health. From the event description:

"Social justice, healing, and history are the themes we’ll explore in the "Books for a Better World" author series held on second Tuesdays (March-November) at Hull Street Library. Join local authors and scholars for engaging book discussions followed by Q&A and book signing, and light refreshments."

Free, open to the public. Children are welcome but should be accompanied by an adult, and some material may not be appropriate for children. 

For more info or to ask a question, call 804-646-8699 or email natalie.draper@richmondgov.com. 

Ethics Lessons from the Flint Water Crisis: Siddhartha Roy and LeeAnne Walters

Wednesday, November 15th 2017, from 6:30-9pm, at the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 West Broad Street, Richmond VA) Siddhartha Roy of Virginia Tech and LeeAnne Walters, Flint resident and activist, will describe their experiences living through the water poisoning crisis which began in 2014 and what transpired to allow this modern tragedy to unfold. 

Free, open to the public, lot parking available. 

For more information and to RSVP, see this link. 

SURJ RVA Research & Policy Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 14th 2017, from 5:30-7pm, at the Main library (101 East Franklin Street, Richmond VA), the Richmond chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice will be holding a meeting of its Research and Policy Committee. “All who are interested in working to dismantle systemic racism in the RVA area and beyond are welcome to join.” 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

Showing of "Disturbing the Peace"

Thursday, November 16th 2017, from 6-8:45pm, at the Main library (101 East Franklin Street, Richmond VA), the Arab American Association of Central Virginia and the Richmonders for Peace in Israel and Palestine are cohosting a showing of the documentary film DISTURBING THE PEACE. Dr. Michael Fischbach will lead Q&A after the film. 

Free, light refreshments provided. 

For more info and to RSVP, call 804-646-7223 or see this link. 

Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board Meeting: Stand Up for Carbon Standards

Thursday, November 16th 2017, from 9:45am-12:45pm, at the Virginia State Capitol (1000 Bank Street, Richmond VA), the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board is meeting to discuss the state's implementation of carbon pollution standards. The Sierra Club is encouraging environmentalists to come out and show the board that they will be held accountable for their decisions. 

Identification is required to get into the building. For more info and to RSVP, see this link.