The 2024 General Assembly session begins on Jan. 10 and several of our advocacy partners are providing opportunities to talk with your state legislators about issues that are important to you:
Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) — Jan. 15
The Virginia Center for Public Safety and other GVP organizations will honor the memory and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King and the lives of all Virginians killed by gun violence with a vigil at the Bell Tower on the Capitol Grounds from 2:00 – 3:00PM. After this, we will move to the new General Assembly Building where we can advocate for better gun laws by speaking with our legislators. Contact Mary K. for additional information.
Equality Virginia (LGBTQ+) – Jan. 15, and 29; Feb. 12 and 26; and March 4.
Equality Virginia’s goal in 2024 is to provide maximum access to advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and supporters across the state so that as many voices can be heard as possible.
In general, each Advocacy Day will start with a breakfast reception and legislative briefing, followed by visits with legislators, and watching a floor session in the House/Senate Gallery. To sign up for one of the two January dates, use the following links to sign up for Jan. 15 or Jan. 29. For additional information, contact Kate M.
ACLU of Virginia — Second Look Lobby Day – Tuesday, Jan. 16 (8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Virginia needs a Second Look. Our Commonwealth locks too many people up for too long. Many of those people have done the hard work to transform themselves, but they’re stuck behind bars for years – or even decades – on taxpayers’ tab. Other states have Second Look laws that let judges take a second look at people they’ve given long sentences to. It’s time to change that. Join impacted people on Jan. 16 to tell lawmakers in person to pass a Second Look law – because Virginia needs a Second Look.
For more information and to register, go to https://action.aclu.org/webform/va-second-look-lobby-day or contact Ed K.
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) – Jan. 17
VICPP has one of the larger Advocacy Days of any of our partners (Day for All People). You will get information on the various policy initiatives and have scheduled appointments with your legislators. Mary and I have participated several times and we always got a lot of information and it is fun. If you want to go but don’t want to drive, there will be a VICPP bus going down from this area. See flyer below and more information and register here. You can also contact Ed K. for more information.
ARC of Northern Virginia (Developmental Disabilities) – Jan.17
The ARC of NoVA will be leading a rally from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Bell Tower on Capitol Square in Richmond. In addition, they will have a series of Developmental Disability Advocacy Days on Jan. 23, 25, & 30, and Feb. 6, 8, 13 & 15. For more information on their Advocacy Days as well as their priority issues, see the ARC flier.
VA Democracy Day (Issues surrounding elections) – Jan. 23
The VA Democracy Day of Advocacy is sponsored by organizations such as Up Vote Virginia, the League of Women Voters, and Common Cause. Participants will be advocating for reducing money from big campaign donors, ranked-choice voting, creating contribution limits, strengthening disclosure, and restricting the personal use of campaign funds. The day starts at 8:00am with breakfast and training and continues with attendance at committee hearings and meetings with legislators. For additional information contact JoAnn F. or go to https://www.vademocracyday.
If you want to carpool to any of these Advocacy events, or for other questions, please contact justice@accotinkuu.org.
