It's time to Show Up!
While self-education and reflection are prerequisites for responsible, effective action - ACTION itself is needed to transform our community. .
The good news? There are lots of opportunities to be involved, including:
- Direct Aid: Donate and volunteer to efforts such as RPEO's "Back to School" event or The Village Initiative's book boxes that put books and school supplies in the hands of young people who might otherwise not have access. Scroll down to learn how to participate.
- Direct Action: Local school boards and city/county councils enact the policies and regulations that impact our lives everyday - and have recently been the sites of efforts to marginalize LGBTQIA+ and BIPoC students and suppress teaching - and even books - that convey the full history and humanity of our diverse community. We need to show up - and speak up. Scroll down to see how you can help.
- Election Activism: Our November election will determine whether VA can continue to protect reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and racial justice, all of which were threatened by legislation proposed by the Republican-led House of Delegates this past term. As a result of redistricting, every seat is up for grabs. Not only do we need to vote - we need to encourage others to do so, and support candidates who are committed to social and racial justice. Scroll down to learn of more specific actions you can take.
ALSO - Keep reading for the latest news and upcoming events, including:
* the Truth and Reconciliation Report,
*1619 Project film viewing, episode 5 "Fear" (August 22nd)
* SURJ-Historic Triangle's Social Justice Hour (August 26th)
|
|
Support RPEO's Annual Back to School event by donating cash (click here to go to their website) or school supplies (you can drop them off at Lafayette High School on Friday, August 18th).
They also need volunteers to stuff backpacks on August 18th, as well as support activities at the event itself. Text Tamara Dillard at 757-608-8872 if you can help!! See full details on the event in the graphic below.
|
|
THE VILLAGE INITIATIVE BOOK BOXES
|
|
|
 The Village Initiative believes that every child deserves free and open access to the tools they need to learn and succeed. We also know that many families in WJCC do not have the financial means to buy books. Since 2021, the Village has collected hundreds of donated books from community members and placed them in our book boxes, which can be found in many public spaces across Williamsburg and James City County. There's no need to leave a book or return them — our books are completely free for anyone to take home and keep!
Book donations can be arranged on a case-by-case basis or dropped off during normal operating hours at:
Colonial CASA (3917 Midlands - Suite 2A)
OR
Williamsburg Christian Church
(in the drop box at the church entryway)
|
|
SURJ-Historic Triangle Action Alert Squad
So much is happening at the local level that can hurt - or help - vulnerable communities. Backlash against recent gains in equity and respect for communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community has been fierce - and devastatingly successful at the local level in other regions. Transgender folx are currently in the crosshairs, as are efforts to acknowledge and confront systemic racism.
It is critical that those of us who want to live in an inclusive, compassionate and just community show up and speak up in these forums. To facilitate this, SURJ-Historic triangle is recruiting a team of volunteers willing to attend 1-2 school board or city/county council meetings a month, report back on what is observed, and alert us to issues where our presence and voices are needed. Interested in being part of this effort? Fill out the form below to join the team!
|
|
Elections matter. If we had any doubt that the extreme policies being adopted in other southern states - reversing years of progress on reproductive rights, education, unraveling systemic racism, and LGBTQIA+ (especially Trans) rights - could come to Virginia, we have only to look at the legislation proposed, and only narrowly defeated, in the VA legislature this past term.
We need to be engaged at multiple levels if we are to retain our rights and protections in Virginia. Here are some places to start:
Know your District, candidates, and voting place: With redistricting, many districts have changed drastically. Here are some links that can help:
|
|
VA House District 69
Most of York County, portions of James City County
Candidates
- Chad Green (R)
- (no Democratic challenger)
|
|
|
VA House District 71
City of Williamsburg, much of James City County, New Kent, King William
Candidates:
- Jessica Anderson (D)
- Amanda Batten (R)
|
|
|
VA Senate District 26
James City County, out to the eastern shore, New Kent, King William, Hanover
Candidates:
- Pam Garner (D)
- Ryan McDougle (R)
|
|
|
Donate and Volunteer for Campaigns
Click the names of candidates above to go learn more about them - then support the campaigns of those you want representing you. Every dollar donated, door knocked, call made, and yard sign put up can make a difference!
|
|
Participate in Get-Out-the Vote efforts
Efforts such as Reclaim Our Vote can increase voter turnout, counteracting policies aimed at voter suppression. You can sign up here to write non-partisan cards to voters of color in key competitive districts. Remember, every seat in the General Assembly is up for election this year, and many of the races will be extremely close. So the stakes are high and every vote matters!
|
|
Vote Early - Early voting begins September 22nd
Voting early means that get-out-the vote efforts can spend their time and money concentrating on others, who might not vote at all without that outreach. Go to your county elections website to find Early Voting locations and hours for you. Anyone may vote early (beginning September 22nd) without an excuse by requesting a mail-in ballot, or voting in-person at the county registrar's office.
|
|
|
Williamsburg Truth and Reconciliation Commission Releases their Report
 On July 8, 2021, Williamsburg City Council passed Resolution #21-05 to form a Truth and Reconciliation Committee to study the impact of racism and racial injustice both historically and presently on residents of the City and to present their findings and recommendations to City Council for further action. Made up of seven community members, the Commission met regularly from September 2021 through June 2022. They presented their report on July 10, 2022.
Recommendations include
- Build a 21st Century Triangle
- Speak the Truth / Do the Work (via establishment Truth and Reconciliation Standing Committee)
- Foster a Welcoming Community
- Create and Support a Healthy Community, and
- Name it, Claim, it, Fix it
Visit the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s webpage (and scroll down) to view and/or download the full report.
|
|
 "Why Black Lives Matter" Lemonade Stand
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12 noon; Merchants' Square
Join All Together Williamsburg in engaging essential conversations about why we feel Black Lives Matter at their Lemonade Stand near the Williamsburg Farmer's Market each Saturday. You don't need to be an expert - you just need to be willing to listen and share your perspective. If this feels a bit intimidating, simply come shadow/support - witness and learn from the dedicated volunteers who work the stand each week. It's a great opportunity to witness and practice the conversations we all need to be having more of. CLICK HERE for the sign-up genius. The stand is set up at the top of Merchant's Square, across from Illy's. Hope to see you there!
|
|
SURJ - Historic Triangle at 2nd Sundays!
Many thanks to Shirley Vermillion and the Williamsburg 2nd Sunday project for allowing us to share information about local racial justice initiatives at this popular monthly craft fair. We've had great conversations and made important connections. Please stop by and see us at our table in front of the Library (also near the food trucks!). Even better - contact us at surjhistorictriangle@gmail.com if you'd like to help out!
|
|
 All Together Williamsburg invites you to join them for a community viewing of the 1619 Project Movie, Part 5, "Fear", with a discussion following.
Tuesday, August 22nd 6:30 - 8:30
St. Martin's Episcopal Church
1333 Jamestown Road
Williamsburg
|
|
|
Next Social Justice Hour - Saturday, August 26th
(this month, the FOURTH Saturday - to not conflict with RPEO's back to school event)
|
|
Get Involved!
Our help can multiply the impact of the critical work of
these local organizations - scroll down to view specific, current needs.
Volunteer & Donate to these Groups Today!
|
|
|
|
The Village Initiative: Working to address the achievement gap and disproportionate expulsions/ suspensions of minority youth (first step in the school-to-prison pipeline) through projects like tutoring, little free libraries, and the local black history project. Also educates the community on voting and through production of an Annual Equity Report on the WJCC schools.
|
|
|
WJCC Coalition for Community Justice: Seeking to dismantle systemic racism in the courts, police, schools, and other institutions within our community that leads to the school-to-prison pipeline, racial profiling, the excessive use of force, excessive pretrial detention and sentencing, and the criminalization of poverty.
|
|
|
Williamsburg Action: Supporting Black Lives Matter and working to create justice in Williamsburg through an inclusive organization focused on equality and projects such as the Black Business Concierge, connecting any customer to a Black-owned business by calling: 1-855-BLK-BUSN (1-855-255-2876)
Concierge line open Fri - Sun, 8 am to 2 pm
.
|
|
|
|
Coming to the Table - Virginia's Historic Triangle is our local chapter of a national racial reconciliation organization with more than 50 chapters nationwide, bringing diverse people together to discuss racial issues and providing a safe place for truth-telling and relationship building.
|
|
|
|
York-James City-Williamsburg NAACP: Working to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial discrimination and hatred by focusing on scholarship programs, voting rights/voter access, connecting people who have been discriminated against with legal and other resources for redress, and youth/youth leadership development.
|
|
|
|
All Together Williamsburg: Improving the quality of life of the community of Greater Williamsburg by bringing together people across racial, ethnic and cultural lines to communicate and engage in activities that foster unity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity. Providing opportunities for people to gather socially to exchange ideas and learn about one another and an annual scholarship for graduating high school seniors that recognizes students for their kindness and spirit of bridge-building.
|
|
|
Visit our website at
https://surj-ht.wixsite.com/historic-triangle/
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD - ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO JOIN!
|
|
|
|
|
