We are hosting this page as a service to the individuals and organizations that are involved in organizing the Virginia People’s Assembly.
Thanks to RadicalRichmond.net for the picture!
Take a look at the People’s Agenda that was accepted unanimously at our historic Virginia People’s Assembly meeting on January 10, 2009:
The Virginia People’s Assembly Agenda
Garrie Rouse, an endorser of the VPA and wonderful photographer, took some excellent pictures from the Virginia People’s Assembly. Check them out at: http://www.pbase.com/garrie_rouse/richmond_090110 and http://www.pbase.com/garrie_rouse/richmond_090114
VPA In the Press:
Check out this great article from the Times Dispatch and please post comments to the attacks we are receiving in response to the article-
RTD Article from the Metro section on January 11, 2009
The Richmond Defender has become the Virginia Defender, the paper of the Virginia People’s Assembly. See the bottom of the page for a link to a downloadable PDF.
Check this page regularly for updates!
Contact the Virginia People’s Assembly at vapeoplesassembly@gmail(dot)com or at
The Virginia People’s Assembly PO Box 38441, Henrico, Virginia 23231 and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50508336564
An Invitation to Join
the Virginia People’s Assembly
Bail Out the People, not the Bankers!
Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Virginia’s Working People!
Across Virginia, poor and working people are hurting. Companies are laying off workers. Homeowners are facing foreclosures. Pensioners are seeing their retirement funds shrink. College and university tuition is rising. Times are tough, and all the “experts” say they’re only going to get worse.
Virginia’s 2009 budget is now facing a deficit of between $2.5 and $3.5 billion. When the General Assembly reconvenes in Richmond on Jan. 14, it will be talking layoffs of state workers, reduced funds for cities, town and counties; cutbacks in health, education, cultural programs; and raising fines and user fees.
What it won’t be talking about is making the banks and corporations foot the bill for the economic crisis. In Virginia, corporations pay the second-lowest income tax in the country, while working people pay the second-highest. Now we are being told that we must pay the price for the financial crisis caused by the wealthy.
When the General Assembly convenes, the halls will be filled with well-paid lobbyists looking out for the interests of the rich and powerful. But who will speak for us?
Each year, the various unions, community organizations and nonprofits pick a different day to lobby the General Assembly. Separately, none of us have the money, votes or numbers to make much of a difference. This year, we will hardly matter at all – unless we unite, support each others’ issues and speak with one powerful voice.
The Virginia People’s Assembly can be that voice.
On Saturday, Jan. 10 2009, people from across the state gathered in Richmond. There were representatives from unions, community and student groups, faith-based organizations, the anti-war movement, prisoner rights advocates and more, representing all of Virginia’s regions, races and nationalities. We talked about issues that matter to us: jobs, housing, education, peace and justice for all. And developed a People’s Agenda to present to the General Assembly (it is posted at the top of the page).
Then on Wednesday, Jan. 14 2009, we held a march and rally in downtown Richmond, after which we presented the People’s Agenda to members of the General Assembly.
This year – united together, speaking in one voice – we will be heard.
How You Can Get Involved:
· Endorse the Call for a Virginia People’s Assembly
· Lobby your General Assembly representatives in person or via email on the issues
· Come to the continuation meetings and bring people with you
· Volunteer to work with a Focus Group
This Call for a Virginia People’s Assembly was initiated by the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality and Richmond Jobs with Justice. An Organizing Committee for a VPA has been formed. Dozens of other activists have endorsed the Call. Focus Groups have been formed to reach out to unions, students, the immigrant community, the anti-war movement, prisoner rights activists, environmentalists and more.
Signed:
Organizing Committee for a Virginia People’s Assembly
Breanne Armbrust, Organizer & Labor Leader, Richmond Jobs with Justice
Lillie (Ms. K) Branch-Kennedy, Founder & Executive Director, Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged (R.I.H.D.)
Bro Duron L. Chavis, Founder, Happily Natural Day / Black Freedom Weekend; Vice President, Prosser-Truth Division #456, UNIA-ACL
King Salim Khalfani, Executive Director, Virginia State Conference NAACP
Ana Edwards, Chair, Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality
Allen Layman, President, Virginia Public Service Workers Union / UE Local 160
Dennis Orton, Organizer, Black Workers for Justice
John Steinbach, Community Outreach Coordinator, Mexicanos Sin Fronteras (Mexicans Without Borders)
Sis. Janet B. Taylor, Lady President, Prosser-Truth Division #456, UNIA-ACL / Trustee, Prisoners and Families for Equal Rights and Justice
Phil Wilayto, Editor, The Richmond Defender
This Call has been endorsed by:
Moya Atkinson, member, Northern Virginians for Peace and Justice
Coalition for Justice – Blacksburg
Ed. Dickau, Retired Teacher, History and Political Science Blogger – Alexandria
Cassandra V. Shaw, Secretary-Treasurer, Richmond Jobs with Justice
David Swanson, AfterDowningStreet.org – Charlottesville
The People United – Charlottesville
Shaheed Omar, Social Activist, primarily focusing on the abuse of African Americans and Muslims in Virginia Department of Corrections Facilities in South Western Virginia, especially Red Onion and Wallens Ridge.
Min. Dr. Jerry L. Muhammad, Prison Reform Minister, Nation of Islam-Virginia
Social Justice Film Series, First Unitarian Church-Lynchburg
Cherie Seise, William and Mary’s Tidewater Labor Support Committee, an Affiliate of United Students Against Sweatshops-Williamsburg
Frank Oddo, Activist-Richmond
Aledia Johnson, Activist
Vanessa Price, Social Activist, Blogger, Researcher, and Professor of Criminal Justice & Criminology-Honaker, VA & Johnson City, TN
Richmond Left Libertarian Alliance-Richmond
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), University of Mary Washington-Fredericksburg
Garrie Rouse-Aylett
Jay Ford, Environmental Activist-Richmond
John Long, Hampton Roads Peace & Justice Coalition
Adele MacLean, Activist-Richmond
United Parents Against Lead National, Inc.-Richmond
Mothers On A Mission (MOM) of Tidewater, Prisoner/Family Support Group
The Beautiful Struggle, Prisoner/Family Support Group-Fairfax
Hampton Roads Peace & Justice Coalition
Gail Singletary-Activist
Donald Allen & Family-Activist
Virginia Anti-War Network (VAWN)
United Student Against Sweatshops (USAS)
The Active Hand Ministry, Richmond
Ian Robbins, Activist
Erika Del Lid, Student Activist-Richmond-VCU
Vania Michelini, Student Activist-Richmond-VCU
J. Kendall Perkinson, Activist-Richmond
Vreni Michelini, Organizer-The People United-VCU
Ken Pinkard, Labor Activist-Burgess
Tom Palumbo, Acting Director Norfolk Off Base-Norfolk
Adria Scharf, Peace Activist-Richmond
Ric Clark, Prince William Peacemakers
Collie Walker, Activist-Amelia
Luke & Connie Moss, Activists-Victoria
Michael Bingham, Student Activist-William & Mary
Connor Horne, Student Activist-William & Mary
David Theurer, Student Activist-William & Mary
Dave Ransom, Activist-Falls Church
Ruth Kaufman, Activist-Staunton
Jameel Abed, Activist-Richmond
Arab American Association
Joyce Pritchard, Activist-Hopewell
Sherlon Smith, Activist-Richmond
Please fill out the contact form below and indicate whether you would like to sign on as an endorser and/or if you want to be added to our Google Group for updates and alerts.
If you want to stay informed you should join our list serv:
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