Over 170 people came out for the Charlottesville Clergy Collective Saturday screening of the “Repairing the World” documentary about the mass shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday February 11; the event was important in continuing the community dialogue around how we can work together to combat antisemitism, racism, and other forms of hate in our area.
Community
Action Item: Gun Violence
We’d like to honor the memory of Eldridge “Skeete” Smith, a longtime valued member of our community who was lost to gun violence last Saturday night.- Juandiego Wade: “I was hurt to the core when I heard that my dear young brother, Eldridge, went home to the Lord. He was part of our fraternity’s mentoring program for almost 10 years. Big L was like a son to me. We did countless trips, mission assignments, tours together over the years. He was a phenomenal athlete and friend. I will work with a heavy heart to address gun violence in our community.”
- Wes Bellamy: “Rest in power to my brother, body guard, and overall just great guy Eldridge Smith….Gun violence is taking our brothers out in ways that are unimaginable. We owe it to our people, our children, our families, and ourselves to think twice before we act.”
Mr. Smith was an active member of the B.U.C.K. Squad, a local grassroots organization that’s working hard to reduce this very violence in our community.
Consider contributing to a fund being set up for the benefit of Mr. Smith’s family (details not yet set), making a contribution now to the B.U.C.K. Squad itself, boosting them on social media (Facebook and Instagram), or volunteering a few hours to assist them or other gun violence prevention groups in their valuable work.
Court Support for the Jefferson School / Swords into Plowshares
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center continues to be harassed by Confederate-sympathizing plaintiffs suing it to try to further delay the Swords into Plowshares repurposing of the Lee statue into inclusive art (an already City Council-approved project). Please join us on Monday, January 9 at 3pm at Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 E High St., to show our support for Dr. Andrea Douglas and the JSAAHC as she answers some questions in advance of the trial.
Despite the on-going legal harassment, the Swords into Plowshares team has completed the community engagement phase and will soon begin the search for an artist to create new art in collaboration with the community.
January 16th Richmond Rally against Gun Violence
The Charlottesville Coalition for Gun Violence Prevention (CCGVP) has chartered a bus at Noon on Monday 1/16 to go to an MLK Day rally in Richmond to demand passage of sensible, common sense Gun Violence Prevention laws. For more information visit http://evite.me/DUfpPfTc93.
The rally was announced last month on the 10th anniversary of the horrific Sandy Hook shootings.
2 Days Left to Oppose Youngkin Environmental and Transgender Rights Policy Backpedaling
The Youngkin Administration is trying to push through two horrificly bad policy changes, and the public comment periods for both end Wednesday 10/26:
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Pulling Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the extremely successful and popular greenhouse gas reduction collaboration between several Eastern Seaboard states. DCist, 10/6/22. Please submit a comment on the Virginia Townhall website opposing the repeal. The Sierra Club Virginia Chapter has a very informative talking points document, but don’t copy their comments exactly; better to make your own unique comment!
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The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has introduced draft guidelines that would prohibit teachers from using a transgender student’s name of choice or affirming the student’s gender without explicit parental approval, and would require teachers to report transgender students to parents even if those students are not ready or able to discuss it with their parents. Students across the state have fought back against this governmental meddling with peaceful demonstrations, e.g. the 9/27 coordinated walkouts by thousands of Virginia students. Please submit a comment on the Virginia Townhall website opposing these guidelines, which would make life miserable for many transgender students across the state.
