Cville Dems

The Charlottesville Democratic Committee

Community

Getting Ready for UVA/Bert Ellis Shenanigans

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photo of Bert Ellis Jr. wearing a pale yellow shirt and dark sport jacketBert Ellis, long-time reactionary and new UVA Board of Visitors member, has already telegraphed his intention to shake things up at UVA even if he’s restrained from cutting down First Amendment-protected student political speech he doesn’t like on Grounds.
The Washington Post profiled him as “controversial board newcomer who has voiced skepticism of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, been protective of the legacy of Jefferson and advocated for a new course for the flagship university. They also underscore mounting political tensions throughout public higher education as Republican governors and their appointees challenge university culture, norms and operations.”
We’re thinking it might be good to identify some Dems in advance as a quick reaction group that would be ready if/when Ellis and others in his Gov. Youngkin-appointed cohort try to push through changes that threaten academic and/or personal freedom at UVA. We’d coordinate with the UVA Dems on this. Note that there may be pressure from the UVA Administration on faculty and students not to speak publicly about Ellis or other Board of Visitor actions.
If anyone’s interested in being part of such a group, please contact cvilledemschair@gmail.com

Charlottesville’s (DRAFT) Zoning Plan Revision

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Colorful map showing various areas of new DRAFT Charlottesville zoning map“It’s finally here! Charlottesville has released its draft zoning map. As dry as that sounds, this small document has the potential to dramatically change the look, feel — and livability — of this city for decades to come.”
That quote is from a Charlottesville Tomorrow overview of where this long process stands (prior background articles here and here and here) and notes how to share your input on the draft, either in writing (via this Google Form or to engage@cvilleplanstogether.com) and/or at these upcoming community open houses:
  • Wed. Feb. 22, 6:00-8:30pm — Charlottesville High School cafeteria, 1400 Melbourne
  • Thurs. Feb. 23, 6:00-8:30pm — Buford Middle School cafeteria, 1000 Cherry Ave.
  • Sat. Feb. 25, 11am to 1:30pm — CitySpace, 100 5th St. NW (Downtown Mall)
Other information sources to check out: Cville Plans Together(including an interactive map), the City of Charlottesville website, and some of these groups that have been working on housing issues for years: Charlottesville Low-Income Housing Coalition (CLIHC), the Charlottesville-Albemarle Affordable Housing Coalition (CHAAHC), the Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA), and Habitat for Humanity.

Jefferson School Annual “Reparations Run” Fundraiser

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Graphic with a purple background for 2023 Liberation and freedom Day Reparations Run-Walk showing time and date and listing the organizations being supported - The graphic shows a Civil War-era black family including an adolescent and a babyThe Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is sponsoring its annual 8k Reparations Run fundraiser to benefit Black-led organizations on Saturday March 4 in celebration of the 2023 Liberation and Freedom Day being commemorated March 3-5.
Last year they allowed local organizations to form teams, and the Cville Dems participated that way (raising a little over $1000); let us know if you’d like to join a similar effort this year.
Or… you can sign up here to participate in the 8K run as an individual.

Report: “Repairing the World” Documentary Screening 2/11/23

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Photo of the attendees at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church watching "Repairing the World" screening from the pewsOver 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.

Action Item: Gun Violence

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photo of Eldridge Skeete Smith wearing a white knit cap and white sweatshirWe’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.