Last October, long-time prisoner-activist Kevin “Rashid” Johnson broke the story that men held at the notorious Red Onion Supermax prison in southwestern Virginia were setting themselves on fire in a desperate attempt to get transferred out of that hellhole.
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.
New memorial to be installed at Trail of Enslaved Africans
Richmond’s Trail of Enslaved Africans runs between the former slave-trading district of Shockoe Bottom just north of the James River and Manchester Docks at Ancarrow’s Landing on the river’s southern bank.
The Virginia Defender 