What We Do

As the state legislature starts its work, our focus shifts to helping our legislators pass legislation on healthcare, gun violence prevention, criminal justice reform, women’s rights, immigration, and other issues with Democratic values. Join other advocates this month in a lobby trip to Richmond to express your views. The FCDC State and Local Committee Lobby Day Calendar gives the issue, sponsor, date, time, and transportation information on lobby trips being organized from Fairfax county to Richmond. If you would like a lobby event included, fill out this form.

 

Date	Issue	Sponsor	Description	Time	Location	Transportation	Contact for more information
Thursday, January 11	Immigration	Virginia Association of Latino Organizations	NOVA ADVOCACY DAY TRAINING: Every year before the Immigrant Advocacy Day VACOLAO organizes a training where we provide information on our legislative agenda that we will be advocates for during the general assembly as well as provide tools on how to become an effective advocate with state elected officials. This meeting will also provide an overview of what to expect during the actual advocacy day in Richmond.	7:00 – 9:00 pm	IN ARLINGTON: 4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22204 (UUCA)”	no	Edgar Aranda-Yanoc, LLM Chair, Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO)Telephone 703-778-3450 Fax 703-778-3454 www.justice4all.org
Monday, January 15	Issues for Yound Dems	“Virginia Young Democrats, Fairfax County, www.fairfaxyoungdems.net”	Young democrats from all over the commonwealth including Fairfax County will be advocating for legislation impacting Virginia young people at the General Assembly	8:00 am – 5:00 pm	General Assembly Building	Solo drivers and carpooling	“Paul Davis, president@fairfaxyoungdems.net, www.fairfaxyoungdems.net”
Monday, January 15, 2018″	Gun violence prevention	Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws	Vigil for gun violence victims and lobby visits with legislators	2:00 – 5:00 pm	Capitol lawn and legislative offices	“Buses available from Northern VA (this year, one from West Potomac HS and one from Unitarian Universalist Church of Fairfax)”	https://www.facebook.com/events/511254079034716/
Monday, January 15, 2018″	Gun violence prevention	UU Congregation of Fairfax and the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church along with the Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence	“Honor the memory and teachings of a great civil rights leader who was killed by gunfire. We will also honor the lives of all Virginians killed by gun violence and invite you to commit to reducing gun violence by raising our voices for responsible gun laws. Lunch at Richmond/meet other Gun violence prevention advocates and/or early legislative visits: Noon -2:00 p.m. • Gun violence prevention advocates and state leaders rally/vigil on General Assembly grounds near Bell Tower: 2-3 p.m. • Enter General Assembly and visit legislature offices 3-5 p.m.”	12:00 – 5:00 pm	Bell Tower and General Assembly Building	“Buses will leave at 10 am and return at 7:30 pm : ? Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton VA 22124, ? West Potomac High School, 6500 Quander Road, Alexandria VA 22307, (the MVUC bus) Register and indicate the boarding location at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a044dacae23a02-gvpadvocacy.A $10 fee (checks preferred) will be collected from riders on boarding. Riders may bring snacks, beverages and lunches. Please dress warmly and wear comfortable footwear for corridor walking/stair climbing at the General Assembly. “	for bus reservation: Bob Hatfield: dhatfield2verizon.net (703)-725-6048 or Jerry Poje: poje2530verizon.net (703)-965-4916 Or directly sign-up at: hftp://www.siqnupcienius_com/go/70a044dacae23a02-qvpadvocacy
Tuesday, January 16, 2018″	“civil and minority rights, criminal justice, voting rights, education, minimum wage, health, transportation”	Virginia State Conference NAACP	Visit legislators	8:00am – 5:00 pm	“SunTrust Center, 919 E. Main Street, 4th floor auditorium”	No.	“Jesse Frierson, Chair VSC NAACP Political Action Committee, 804-380-2678, VSCNAACPLobbyDay@gmail.com”
Tuesday, January 16, 2018″	Issues important to African-Americans	NAACP Virginia State Conference	“Learn about legislation important to African-Americans. Discussions with state legislators, hear from state NAACP officials, lobby training, press conference. “	8:00 am – 5:00 pm	“919 E. Main Street, 4th floor auditorium, Richmond”	“No transportation, no cost.”	Jesse Frierson at 804-380-2678 or VSCNAACPLobbyDay@gmail.com.
Thursday, January 18, 2018	Immigration	Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations	VACOLAO – VIRGINIA LATINO/IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY DAY Join the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO)’s annual Immigrant Advocacy Day to meet with elected representatives and advocate for legislation and issues important to Virginia’s immigrant communities. The top priorities of VACOLAO’s legislative agenda are: Driver’s License Access for all immigrants in Virginia, expanding in-state tuition for immigrant students regardless of their legal status, passing a resolution for the General Assembly condemning hate speech and celebrating diversity and welcoming community, closing the Gap on Medicaid among others. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Registration fee: $ 20.00. Please register at https://vaimmigrantadvocacyday.eventbrite.com. If you pay by check, please make payable to the order of VACOLAO and send us at 6066 Leesburg Pike, suite 520, Falls Church, VA 22041 SCHOLARSHIPS: Limited scholarship assistance is available to cover the event registration fee. To apply for a scholarship, please proceed with your registration and choose scholarship. Applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-serve basis.	8:30 am – 3:00 pm	We will convene at 919 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (Tidewater Room) and will meet of our representatives at the new building of the Virginia General Assembly.	Transportation available from Falls Church. It will leave from 6066 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 at 6:30am. Please arrive by 6:15am. We will be returning to northern Virginia at 5:00pm. We will provide light breakfast and lunch.	Contact us at vacolao@gmail.com or by phone at 703-772-1555. For more information, please visit www.vacolao.org
Tuesday, January 23, 2018″	Redistricting	OneVirginia2021	“Join us in meeting with state legislators to encourage them to support fair redistricting reform. Due to the General Assembly being held in a new, and much smaller building, we’ll be holding several lobby days throughout the duration of the session. We invite you to come participate based off your region. The Date for NOVA is Jan. 23.”		GEneral Assembly buidling	Carpools being set up. See https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu7Ajxjgq7vbX0i9OCOzIcFpRCeIhXexgpcA6df2odQKJ-IA/viewform	https://www.onevirginia2021.org/participate/lobby-days-2018/
Tuesday, January 23, 2018″	See issue agenda at http://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/get-involved/general-assembly-2018/	Day for All People–Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy	“Informative speakers on key legislative issues before the General Assembly, and opportunities to meet with your legislators. Tickets are $30 for the day-long advocacy event; $15 for students;” “early bird” rate of $25 if registered by Jan. 11. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. “	8:00 am – 3:00 pm	“St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located at 815 East Grace Street, next to the State Capitol.”	car pools from faith communities	https://virginiainterfaithcenter.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=12
Thursday, January 25, 2018″	Women’s Rights	“Equal Rights Amendment Lobby Day — Groups organizing this event are We of Action Virginia (WofA), the Liberal Women of Chesterfield County, Virginia Democracy Forward, Network NoVA, and women-matter.org.”	“Did you know that Virginia has never passed an Equal Rights Amendment? Virginia Grassroots is planning a Lobby Day in Richmond to urge passage of an Equal Rights Amendment. Multiple large groups are organizing a visit to our legislators January 25-26, a few days after the Women’s March anniversary events. We will be escorted by the superwomen who have almost gotten the ERA passed in Virginia numerous times.		“Virginia General Assembly 201 N 9th St, Richmond, Virginia 23219”		RSVP & More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/706200332902281/ www.novagrassroots.org RSVP: https://www.tinyurl.com/equalrightsRSVP Facebook Event/Info: https://www.tinyurl.com/eratrip Fill out ERA survey at: https://tinyurl.com/goera
Thursday, January 25, 2018″	Animal Welfare	Humane SOciety of the United States	“Join advocates from all over Virginia to lobby for animal welfare legislation including a bill to save dogs living their lives at the end of a chain and a bill to strengthen Virginia’s animal cruelty statute. For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/Network-NoVA/events/245765272 “	8:00 am – 12:00 pm	Credit Union House of Virginia – 108 North 8th Street – Richmond		https://www.meetup.com/Network-NoVA/events/245765272/