Richmond has been seeing a sharp escalation on the part of law enforcement in respect to pro-Palestinian activities. Not that harsh police tactics are new: Recall this past April’s violent breakup of a peaceful Gaza solidarity encampment at Virginia Commonwealth University by campus, city and state police.
While Israeli genocide expands, pro-Palestinian actions spread across Va.
Despite organizing in an increasingly hostile and repressive environment, pro-Palestinian activism across the Commonwealth is strong, growing and adapting to ever-changing obstacles imposed by the state.
(RTD) Corrections
Editor’s Note: In our 20 years of publishing, The Virginia Defender has never once been asked to correct a fact or a quote. We’re very proud of that record. But since other publications publish corrections, we’d like to do the same – in our case, corrections to factual errors that have appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Here are our first offerings.
Richmond’s planned waterfront amphitheater stirs controversy
It has been announced by partners Live Nation and Red Light Ventures that Richmond’s new amphitheater, to be located next to the American Civil War Museum by the James River, will be named Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, after the venue’s title sponsor, Allianz Partners.
Screening of “Blood Like Water” (2023), November 29, 2024
Join the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality for a free screening of the award-winning short film by Palestinian filmmaker Dima Hamdan, “Blood Like Water,” on November 29, 2024 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Doors at 6:30pm. Performances and a screening to follow.
Protesters Target Virginia Israel Advisory Board
Earlier this evening, a group of about 60 people met in Monroe Park to rally against the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, which is headquartered right in downtown Richmond. VIAB is a business promotion entity, funded by Virginia taxpayer money, that works to bring Israeli businesses to the Commonwealth.
Statement on the Crisis in Gaza by the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality
Our statement explaining our position on the crisis in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel.
The Virginia Defender 