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!”
The Virginia Defender
Established in 2005 as The Richmond Defender, The Virginia Defender is a free community newspaper, published quarterly for the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality. Print distribution is currently 12,000 and statewide. The online publication launched in Summer 2020.
Immigrant Support Work Should Not Put Vulnerable Communities in Harm’s Way
A statement by the Virginia Defenders concerning the Party for Socialism & Liberation. An escalating series of events has led us to the conclusion that we can no longer be silent about the actions of an organization that has deliberately put vulnerable people in real danger.
El Trabajo de Apoyo a Inmigrantes no Debería Poner en Riesgo a Las Comunidades Vulnerables
La declaración de los Defensores de Virginia con respecto al Partido por el Socialismo y la Liberación. Una serie de hechos en constante escalada nos ha llevado a la conclusión de que ya no podemos permanecer en silencio ante las acciones de una organización que ha puesto deliberadamente en peligro a personas vulnerables.
Richmond rally demands: ICE out!
It was cold, it was rainy, it snowed – but none of that stopped more than 400 people from turning out today to demand that ICE get out of Richmond and the entire state of Virginia.
Updates and Announcements: Emergency Protest – ICE OUT!
The Updates and Announcements newsletter for January 17, 2026. In response to a sharp increase in the presence of ICE agents in the Richmond area, VILLAS and the Defenders are calling for an emergency rally at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Richmond’s Monroe Park.
Virginia Protests Condemn U.S. Attack on Venezuela
Early yesterday morning, news broke that the U.S. had attacked the capital of Venezuela and surrounding areas and abducted the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Emergency Protest TODAY at 3 PM at the Richmond Federal Courthouse!
An emergency edition of the Updates and Announcements newsletter for January 3, 2026. There will be an emergency demonstration at the Federal Courthouse at 701 E. Broad St., Richmond VA, to protest the U.S. attack on Venezuela and the abduction of President President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The Virginia Defender 