The Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality have endorsed the call for a “National Shutdown” on Friday, Jan. 30: “No work, no school, no shopping.” The official demand is “Stop funding ICE.” We would say, “Abolish ICE now!”

For more than a year, the Defenders have been promoting the idea of a countrywide general strike. In Virginia, where unionized workers make up only about 5% of the workforce, we’re circulating a Resolution among nonunion organizations, expressing support for a general strike. The goal is to encourage Virginia unions to go on record as supporting the idea by showing them there is broad community support for such an action.

We understand that an actual General Strike would require massive organization and resources, which means the unions need to be heavily involved. The call for a general strike on Friday has not been endorsed either by major unions or the Minneapolis labor movement.

Nevertheless, we believe it is important to support all calls for a general strike as a way to promote the idea in as forceful a way as possible, and that is why we are endorsing the call for a “national shutdown” on Jan. 30.

To get involved in the Defenders campaign to build support in Virginia for a General Strike, call or text us at 804.644.5834 or email DefendersFJE@hotmail.com. And follow us on Instagram at virginiadefendernews.