A letter to the editor from Virgil Hawks, incarcerated at Red Onion, regarding the very difficult conditions there.
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.
In Our Opinion: And then they came…
Reflections on Martin Niemöller’s famous poem and the vital importance of solidarity.
Mali, Niger & Burkina Faso
Between 2022 and 2024, three West African nations, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, finally broke military and economic ties with their former colonial power, France. They now work with their neighbors to address security concerns on their borders and northern areas.
International solidarity with Cuba
The Defenders attended the 2025 International U.S.-Cuba Normalization Conference held March 15–16 in New York City.
Art as Resistance: Solidarity with Palestine
More than 100 people turned out Nov. 29 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture for an evening of art held in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.
Despite challenges, Palestine support continues to grow in Va.
Since the Gaza ceasefire went into effect on Jan. 19, Gaza’s Government Media Office has reported more than 350 violations of the terms of the agreement by Israel.
Still following the money
Since the Shockoe Project was announced in February of last year, a major focus for the Defenders has been how the development and operation of the quarter- billion-dollar Shockoe Bottom memorial park will materially – financially – benefit the Black community.
The Virginia Defender 