Statement from the Steering Committee of the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, regarding the September 8, 2021 removal of Richmond’s Robert E. Lee statue.
RICHMOND TO PARTICIPATE IN AUG. 3 ‘NATIONAL DAY OF RESISTANCE’
Organizers with the education advocacy group Virginia Educators United have scheduled an “Education Equity Or Else Motor March” in Richmond for Monday, Aug. 3, to promote progressive reforms dealing with both public schools and the community at large.
PHOTO UPDATE: ATTENDEES OF FEB. 10 COUNCIL MEETING REJECT DOMINION’S DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Despite fierce support from Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Dominion Energy and its corporate partners failed to win City Council support for their $1.5 billion development plan for downtown Richmond. The public evidently favors schools over corporate profits.
RICHMOND GAS WORKS CUSTOMERS GET BREAK ON BILLS
City of Richmond’s natural gas utility customers should see savings on monthly bill Beginning with their January utility bills, Richmond Gas Works customers should have seen a savings on their monthly natural gas bill.
CREIGHTON COURT UPDATE
At the same time that more than 100 homeless people are taking shelter in tents outside to the city’s cold weather shelter, less than two miles away the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority is taking steps to demolish more than 500 public housing apartments.
CATHY’S CAMP EXPOSES RICHMOND’S HOUSING CRISIS

It started with a few tents, a place for people without homes to get in out of Richmond’s winter weather. At least it was dry, and with some blankets and enough clothing, it was bearable. And as the number of tents and homeless people grew, it was safer than trying to find a place to sleep alone outside.
IN OUR OPINION: RICHMOND DOES SOMETHING GOOD
This issue of The Virginia Defender hits the streets Oct. 28, just after National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 20-26). We’re glad to see that Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has taken the opportunity to use this week to help spread awareness in the city about the dangers of lead poisoning, especially to young children.