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March 6, 2024

TODAY, MONDAY, MAY 6: MARCH TO SENATOR KAINE’S OFFICE!

On Monday, May 6, students and other supporters of the Palestinian people will gather at Richmond’s Monroe Park and march to the office of Senator Tim Kaine, who on April 30, along with Senator Mark Warner, voted to send another $26 billion dollars to Israel as that government continues its genocidal bombardment of the people of Gaza. The marchers will deliver an Open Letter, signed by more than 100 Virginia organizations and individuals, calling on Kaine to stop voting to send “aid” to Israel and support the university protesters who have come under attack for their principled stands. Read the Open Letter HERE.

VCU USES HUNDREDS OF COPS TO BREAK UP PEACEFUL PROTEST

RICHMOND, VA, April 29 — At about 8:30 this evening, Virginia Commonwealth University put out an alert that a “violent protest” was taking place on the campus of the state’s largest public university. There was violence, but it wasn’t from the protesters, who had set up a modest encampment on the lawn outside Cabell Library. No, the violence was from the VCU, Richmond and Virginia State Police, in full riot gear, who attacked a line of students chanting against the cops who were ransacking their encampment. READ MORE.

VCU BLACK STUDENTS APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

Please stand with us as we take action! We are an ad-hoc coalition of VCU students, student organizations, faculty, and friends protesting Governor Glenn Youngkin’s interference in VCU’s education, particularly regarding the crucial need for Racial Literacy. READ MORE.

UNIONS & ALLIES CELEBRATE LABOR AT 2nd ANNUAL UNION FEST

RICHMOND, VA, May 4 — More than 130 union members and supporters gathered in Byrd Park today for Union Fest, an event celebrating organized labor. This was the second year organizers held the event, which commemorates May Day, also called International Workers Day. READ MORE.

MAY 2: REMEMBER THE ODESSA MASSACRE! A webinar sponsored by the Odessa Solidarity Campaign – View the webinar HERE.

On May 2, the 10th anniversary of the Odessa Massacre, the Defenders’ Odessa Solidarity Campaign hosted a webinar that explored the true nature of the government of Ukraine and exposed the myth that it’s a struggling democracy unjustly targeted in an unprovoked war. READ MORE.

SAVE THE DATES!

Fri., June 7 – TRIAL DATE FOR THE PEOPLE ARRESTED BLOCKING I-95 OVER GAZA – 10 am, John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th St., Richmond. COURT SUPPORT IS NEEDED!

Fri., June 28 – TRIAL DATE FOR THE PEOPLE ARRESTED APRIL 29 AT THE VCU ENCAMPMENT – John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th St., Richmond. (Not sure of the time yet.) COURT SUPPORT IS NEEDED!

Tues., July 9 – Thurs., July 11 – NATO SUMMIT IN D.C. – The big annual meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which is rapidly becoming a U.S;-led global imperialist military. There will be protests and a counter-conference. The Defenders’ Odessa Solidarity Campaign will be there and could use help with outreach and literature distribution.

Tues., Sept. 3 – TRIAL OF THE UHURU 3 – Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the African People’s Socialist Party, and two white supporter/organizers will go on trial in Tampa, Fla., after being charged in connection with their speaking out against U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Defenders will be attending the trial.

Thurs., Oct. 10 – 22nd ANNUAL GABRIEL GATHERING – Sponsored by the Defenders’ Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project. In the evening, at the Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground. Lots of help will be needed.