Originally published in the Summer/Fall 2025 edition of the Virginia Defender, issue 77, printed December 11. Reproduced here for accessibility and archival purposes. To find other stories in the Summer/Fall 2025 issue or to download the full PDF, see this post. For other issues dating back to 2012, see the Full Issues page.

By Danielle DiBlasio

Pro-Palestine activists across Virginia are leaning hard into boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns as Israel continues its assault on the Gaza Strip despite the announcement of a ceasefire on Oct. 10

As of Dec. 3, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 357 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the start of the ceasefire. In addition, Israel has repeatedly and flagrantly violated the terms of the agreement by continuing to restrict the entry of aid, food and tents.

The DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement, in collaboration with organizations from across Virginia such as Virginia for Palestine, Virginia Defenders, NOVA Branch DSA and PSL of Virginia soft-launched a campaign over the summer to pressure the Virginia Retirement System to divest from weapons manufacturers and logistics companies that have profited from Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

On Sept. 25, before the start of a VRS Board of Trustees meeting (which are open to the public), Richmond police officers tackled and then issued a citation to a Virginia firefighter as he attempted to present a copy of the VRS No Pensions for Genocide petition to board members. All charges against the firefighter have since been dropped.

On Nov. 13, PYM, PSL and Richmond for Palestine, a coalition that includes the Defenders, held a press conference and rally outside the VRS office in downtown Richmond to officially launch the VRS No Pensions for Genocide campaign to the greater public.

The event was attended by around 40 people and featured speeches from workers who pay into the VRS and spoke about their support for the divestment campaign.

On this past “Black Friday,” Richmond activists set up a roadside protest near the Short Pump Mall, urging shoppers to withhold their holiday purchasing from brands and corporations that profit from Israel’s genocide.

In Northern Virginia, Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights has been campaigning to have the Alexandria City Council pass an ethical investment resolution. This would establish that no future investments are made in companies flagged for committing human rights violations, as well as divestment from current holdings.

While there is reportedly support from some members of the council, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Northern Virginia has engaged in an Council of Northern Virginia has engaged in an opposition email campaign. Members of Alexandria for Palestine noted that their grassroots efforts show the widespread community support for city divestment, versus a small if influential opposition.

Meanwhile, activists from a range of organizations hold a weekly protest every Friday in Richmond, while Hampton Roads for Palestine does the same every Saturday in Norfolk. In Roanoke, the Plowshare Peace & Justice Center holds a monthly silent vigil for peace, the longest continuing peace protest in the state.

Commitment to boycotts and divestment campaigns and urging sanctions is more important now than ever for the people of the United States, Israel’s top financial and military supplier.

To truly stand with Palestinians is to fight to ensure that Israel no longer has the weapons, money and diplomatic support needed to continue its oppression of the Palestinian people.