As some of you may have read, Speaker Scott and Senate President Lucas released the proposed redistricting maps for Virginia’s House of Representatives districts. This has been in the works for quite some time and will be voted on in a referendum on April 21, 2026 (more information to come). To read more about what the maps say, how it affects Charlottesville, and what a referendum will look like, this article by the New York Times provides a good overview.
Email Legislators — Sensible Gun Reform
There is a slate of sensible gun reforms up for a vote in the House of Delegates. To ensure that they get passed and protect our community, we are being called on to reach out to our state representatives and encourage them to vote ‘yes’ on this set of bills. At the bottom of this email, you can find contact information for Delegate Callsen and Senator Deeds. Below is an email template you can use:
“Dear Del. (or) Sen. XXX,
I’m a constituent in zip code #####. [Add a sentence about why gun violence protection is important to you.] I ask that you please vote for these bills as they come to the floor:
- HB19: Close the Boyfriend Loophole
- HB21: Industry Accountability
- HB40: Ban Ghost Guns
- HB93: Protect DV Survivors
- HB110: Preventing Gun Thefts from Cars
- HB229: Prohibiting Weapons in Hospitals & Mental Health Facilities
- HB626: No Guns on Campus
- HB702: Establishing a Statewide Give-Back Program
- HB871: Safe Child Access Prevention
- HB1096: ERPO Reporting
- HB1359: Firearm Purchaser Licensing
Thank you for your time and consideration,
NAME
ADDRESS (not necessary, up to you if you would like to include).”
Ways to Voice Grievances about Federal Overreach
Call your Rep. John McGuire and tell him what you think about federal agents, law enforcement, and possibly even military members on standby to deploy in Minneapolis to shut down civic protesters. Two phone numbers for his offices are below this message. Here’s suggested wording to the McGuire staff:
“Thank you. Please tell him that as a voter in his district, I’m deeply concerned by the lack of transparency surrounding the shooting of a U.S. citizen and reports of federal agents using chemical weapons on peaceful crowds. I don’t want the US military to be deployed against those who are protesting. I expect constitutional due process and government accountability, no matter which state it’s happening in. Can you confirm this comment will be shared with his legislative team?”
ALSO:
The Justice Department’s civil rights office has refused to investigate the killing of Renee Good. It’s their job to investigate and prosecute civil rights violations (like the use of excessive force) by law enforcement officers. One thing you can do today is call the head of the office, Harmeet Dhillon, and demand a thorough and immediate investigation.
The office line is (202) 514-3847. Please leave a message if no one answers.
A New Governor’s Inaugural Speech
Abigail Spanberger is now Virginia’s first female governor, already a seasoned politician who knows how to get work done in Congress. Her inaugural speech was fair, courteous, and most importantly, inclusive. Many previous governors attended. Watch her speech from C-SPAN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
MLK Day Activities
Don’t miss a FULL LIST of community MLKJr-related events and activities compiled by UVA:
https://mlk.virginia.edu/
These events will take place today through next Monday, Jan. 26.
Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church Community MLK Service
Next Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 5pm, Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
Here are some past MLK Day events from Monday, Jan. 19:
- Join volunteers at Ivy Creek Nature Center, 9:30am to noon, for our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service! Activities will include removing invasive plant species and performing trail maintenance at this African American Civil Rights Network site. Sign up: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/
ivycreekfoundation/event/ 11926martinlutherkingjrdayofse rvice/
- United Way is partnering with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital to host a community kit-building project 10am-noon at Jackson P. Burley Middle School. They plan to compile about 1,000 kits of warm clothes and hygiene products for people in need. Registration online has closed, but you can Donate to help assemble even more kits. ALSO, UVA’s Multicultural Student Services will be assembling warmth kits at noon at Multicultural Student Center, Newcomb Hall, 2nd Floor.
- Come celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at a full program of speakers, readers, and musicians at the Carver Recreation Center, 233 4th Street, NW Charlottesville, VA 22902, 1-3pm (produced by Mr. Alex-Zan).
Two Names Recently Entered the Fifth District Congressional Race
The two newest candidates to the Fifth District congressional race next year are Rob Tracinski and Tom Perriello, in order of announcing their runs. Click on their names to learn more about them and their campaigns!
