Cville Dems

The Charlottesville Democratic Committee

Issue Information

May Day Rally — Thursday May 1, 5:00-6:30pm

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Indivisible Charlottesville flyer for the May 1 5:00-6:30pm May Day protest rally at the Albemarle Country Office Building, 401 McIntire Road. At the top is a small headline "STAND UP FOR WORKING FAMILIES". The poster's center Has the words May Day Rally" in very big bold red letters partially obscured by multicolor raised clenched fists. The bottom gives date+time+place information.Members of Indivisible Charlottesville, Cville Dems, and allied organizations will be standing in front of the Albemarle County Building on McIntire Road from 5:00-6:30pm on Thursday, May 1 in a demonstration of solidarity with working families and everyone whose basic needs are under threat.

We’re standing for shared humanity when we all stand in “moral opposition” to the unlawful tactics of this administration. Hundreds of working people, parents, students and community members will rise in every corner of the country to fight for dignity, justice, and public investment in our lives.

This local action is part of a national mass mobilization day, a follow-up to the very successful April 5th “Hands Off” rally where 5,000 people showed up; it was amazing and empowering and sent an incredibly loud and clear message!

We know that Thursday right after work is not as convenient a time as Saturday afternoon was on April 5, but we’re asking you to put up with some inconvenience and continue standing up for American Democracy! Turnout matters: we want to come as close as possible to the 5,000 people who showed up for Hands Off. You can let your network know you’re standing up for democracy by RSVPing to the Facebook event.

Please spread the word, please come for at least a few minutes, please bring your family and/or a friend or two or three (enjoy dinner together afterwards)… and try to find someone who can stand in your place if you can’t make it!

If You See Something, Say Something

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We all have that adage engrained from terrorist attacks. Now many who have seen actions by the Trump administration that are contrary to the rule of law, to our traditions, and to judge’s rulings are saying something.

Hundreds turned out at the intersection of Preston Ave. and McIntire Rd., in front of the Albemarle County Office Building, to protest against the Trump administration on Monday, Feb. 24, from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. This protest was billed as family friendly and was organized, along with the successful Feb. 17 protest, by the Charlottesville Indivisible chapter.  Some brought their children to help them understand that democracy is participatory and if something is wrong, it’s important to step up and say something. Reasons for protesting included specific concerns, such as the massive, crushing cuts to the federal government, ranging from USAID to the NIH to virtually all agencies, including thousands of IRS workers fired at tax time!

Concerns also included the bullying by unelected but all-too-powerful Elon of Musk, the shameful betrayal of Ukraine, and Pres. Trump’s positive view of Putin, lying for him about who started the war. Signs ranged from ‘Save our Democracy’ to ‘Save the Rule of Law’ to ‘Corruption Pays.’ It’s more important than ever: if you see something, say something! – Judith Shatin, Cville Dem

Del. Katrina Callsen (left, along with Alb. Co. precinct chair Kathe Falzer), was at the Feb. 24 protest, holding poster that protests against the federal administration's rash activities. They are in Charlottesville, along a busy road at rush hour with many other protestors. The sign has an upside down American flag and message: Democracy not Oligarchy.Back-to-back Indivisible Charlottesville Monday protests (against the Trump Administration’s actions executed by Elon Musk) drew crowds to the Albemarle County Office Building in downtown Charlottesville on Feb. 17 and Feb. 24.

Del. Katrina Callsen (above left, with Albemarle County precinct chair Kathe Falzer) was spotted at the Feb. 24 protest, among the many who attended that protest.

Thanks to all who participated, organized, and honked!   A long line of protestors dot McIntire road during the Feb. 17 protest against the Trump administration and Elon Musk.

Two people hold signs up, protesting the current federal administration. One sign reads, Same shit, different hat, and shows headwear including a white KKK Hood, a gray confederate soldier's cap, a black Nazi officer's cap, and a red Maga cap. The other person holds a poster that says stop (with stop sign) Elon's Coup, and a fire at bottom.

A protestor holds an anti-bullying sign at a family friendly protest against the current administration's activities on Feb. 24.
A protestor holds an anti-bullying sign at a family friendly protest against the current administration’s activities on Feb. 24.

Trump’s War on Higher Ed: What’s Next

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78% of 100 college presidents surveyed agreed with the statement “Donald Trump is going to war with higher education”; that’s a chilling prospect for the nation, and will have huge impacts on Charlottesville generally as well as UVA and PVCC specifically.

The Chronicle is holding a free online interview with its lead Higher Ed reporter on Thursday, February 20, 1pm titled “Donald Trump and Higher Ed: What’s Next?” to tackle questions like “What will become of various streams of federal funding for higher ed? Will Immigration and Customs Enforcement show up on campuses? Will the Department of Education be shuttered…how would that impact colleges?”

You can register to watch the interview on the Chronicle website.

Indivisible Charlottesville is Forming Working Groups

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Logo of Indivisible Charlottesville. Shows a light blue map of Virginia with a red star where Charlottesville is located and the words "Democracy in Action: Indivisible Charlottesville Va05"

Around Thanksgiving time, progressive groups all over the country held reorganization/revitalization “Worth Fighting For” meetings to start preparing for Trump’s return to power. In Charlottesville, the meeting organized by Indivisible Charlottesville drew 150 attendees (!), including a good number of local Dems. Here’s the list of organizations, including ours, that were flagged as important to support.

Five issue action workgroups are now organizing and starting to meet in late January/February:

  • Abortion Access/Reproductive Rights Protection
  • Building Alternatives (organizing locally to transform power–climate, housing, gun safety, etc.)
  • Climate Change/Protecting the Environment
  • Defending Civic Institutions (safeguarding democratic institutions–elections, gov. agencies, etc.)
  • LGBTQ+ Rights/Protection

You can get on the mailing list of one or more of these groups here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEKRjgEJPm32nEm53Yx57BrnzxfnLq1MbeatOvtOQERJcTmw/viewform

Every little bit of organizing we do makes a difference… momentum builds on momentum… by getting out there and taking action to help your community, you’ll see how much power is actually in your hands!

“Worth Fighting For” Community Organizing Meeting (Saturday 11/23, 11am)

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Cover image for the planning document "Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink. Strategies, tactics, and tips for how every day Americans can fight back together wherever we live.” In the bottom right corner is a picture of the US Capitol building and in front of it 2 signs held up by raised arms reading “Abortion is Healthcare. Healthcare is a Human Right” and “We Demand Democracy”.Indivisible Charlottesville, in cooperation with other local groups, is coordinating a “Worth Fighting For” community organizing meeting in the Downtown Central Library’s Swanson Case Room at 11am on Saturday, Nov. 23 to strategize about the Trump 2.0 Administration. Attendees will:

  • Identify the roles we can all play to defend the people and civil institutions we care about.
  • Build connections with others who are ready to fight for a just and equitable future.
  • Begin forming action plans (building on this guide circulated by Indivisible and other partner organizations after the election).

Please RSVP by signing up here, and please share this invitation with others who are ready to join the cause.

Clean Air Cville (501c3 pending), which promotes healthier indoor air quality, will provide air filters and optional masks for the meeting.