Cville Dems

The Charlottesville Democratic Committee

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.

Six Finalists for Vacant City Council Seat

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photo of empty Charlottesville City Council chambersThere were 20 applicants for Sena Magill’s former seat on Charlottesville City Council (this Daily Progress article gave short profile information about each) and today the City announced that it has narrowed the field to six.
There’s no election for this opening; the current City Council members will choose one of the six finalists to serve out Sena’s term on Feb 21. A public community input session will take place this Monday, Feb. 6; you can go to City Council’s meeting page if you want to sign up to get a seat at the live meeting, to get a link to watch virtually, or to register to participate or speak.
Here’s the alphabetical list of the all the applicants, with asterisks by the 6 finalists:

Kate Bennis
 *Alex Bryant
Michael Cusano Philip B. d’Oronzio
Donald J. Dunham III *Kathy Galvin
Margaret Elaine Gardiner James Louis Guidry Sr.
Sam Gulland John Edward Hall
*Lisa D. Larson-Torres Carla J. Manno
Sarah Moniz *Natalie Oschrin
Rosia Parker *Leah Puryear
John Santoski Maynard Sipe
*Kristin Szakos Christopher Charles Valtin

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.