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September 16, 2025

Sep. 14: On this date in 1914, Jacobo Árbenz was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Árbenz served as president of his country from 1951 until his overthrow in a CIA coup in 1954. His “crime” was to transfer unused land owned by foreign companies to landless peasants. One of the most powerful of those companies was United Fruit, the largest employer in Central America. The U.S. Secretary of State at the time was John Foster Dulles. His brother, Allen Dulles, was director of the CIA. Both men were lawyers on the payroll of United Fruit for decades. The coup installed the brutal military dictatorship of Carlos Castillo Armas, who returned the transferred land back to the foreign companies, including United Fruit, now known as Chiquita, the leading distributor of bananas in the United States.

We acknowledge that we live on land that was stolen from the Powhatan people and worked by stolen African labor. Reparations are long overdue.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, Sept. 20 – NORFOLK: The U.S. premiere of “Ameneh’s Golden Blood”

An Iranian film about a gravely ill college student whose family carries out an international search for the rare blood type that can save her life. The film will be followed by a discussion on contemporary U.S.-Iran issues with longtime antiwar activist Phil Wilayto, editor of The Virginia Defender and author of “In Defense of Iran: Notes from a U.S. Peace Delegation’s Journey through the Islamic Republic.” 7-9 pm at eleanor’s norfolk, 801 Boush St., Unit B, Norfolk. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event. More information is available at the website for eleanor’s norfolk, here.

Friday, Oct 10 – RICHMOND: 23rd Annual Gabriel Gathering

Join us as we honor the great slave rebellion leader Gabriel on the 225th anniversary of his execution in Richmond. Each year we gather to honor the courage and example of Gabriel and his comrades and rededicate ourselves to the ongoing struggle for Freedom, Justice and Equality. Holding this annual event reminds us all of the importance of properly memorializing this former slave-trading district, a project that now is underway as a result of a mass, decades-long community struggle. This year will feature the unveiling of a special mural depicting this struggle. 6:30-8:00 pm, Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground, on the north side of East Broad Street between I-95 and the CSX railroad tracks. There is parking on the south side of Broad Street, with access to the Burial Ground through the tunnel under Broad Street. Sponsored by the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project of the Virginia Defenders.

Starting Sunday, Sept. 14: “A 4-Part Teach-In on Migration Issues: Knowledge is Grounding – Change Comes with Action.”

(1) U.S. history of detention & deportation & the current conditions in Virginia; (2) Abolition: U.S. history of oppression nationally; (3) Causes of migration: U.S. imperialism & militarization globally; (4) “I believe that we will win”: Lessons in resistance and our path forward.

Times & locations to be announced. Sponsored by the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality

ANNOUNCEMENT

The next edition of The Virginia Defender will be out in late October. It has been delayed because of the intensification of our work supporting immigrant communities, opposing the Israeli genocide in Gaza and moving to a new office. We thank you for your patience.

LIKE OUR WORK? WANT TO HELP?

The Virginia Defenders are always looking for good folks who want to be part of the movement for Freedom, Justice & Equality. We work by committees, which are open to both members and friends. Want to work for Prison Justice? Immigrant support? Antiwar issues? Community support? The Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project? The Virginia Defender newspaper? Then let’s talk! Contact us at 804-644-5834 (call or text) or email DefendersFJE@hotmail.com.

And to make a financial donation online, visit this page. Or you can send a check or money order payable to “Defenders” to PO Box 23202, Richmond, VA 23223.