Dear , 

More than 400 people came to our annual Day for All People lobby day at the General Assembly - many traveled from Roanoke, Hampton Roads, Charlottesville and Northern VA. That’s the largest group we’ve ever hosted. I am grateful to everyone who made the trip and appreciate your energy and enthusiasm for social justice. Every meeting with legislators and aides makes a difference in supporting legislation to make Virginia a more just and equitable Commonwealth. 

The day began with a stirring gospel medley from the musical legend, Reverand Cora Harvey Armstrong, a legislative briefing from VICPP and VAIPL staff and then the walk to the General Assembly Building to meet with legislators. In the afternoon, participants attended workshops on issues ranging from maternal health, advocacy, environmental justice, living wages and filmmaking for justice. It was a tremendous success. We'll share photos and videos next week. 
 
Highlights at the General Assembly: 

• SJ248, a Constitutional amendment addressing the restoration of voting rights for people with felony histories, passed in the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. VICPP staffer Kenneth Hunter testified in support of the bill. 

• HJ2, Constitutional amendment supporting the restoration of voting rights for people with felony histories passed on a floor vote in the House of Delegates. 

• Faith in Housing: VICPP hosted a press conference and released the book, “Virginia Congregations Building Affordable Housing: A Match Made in Heaven,” by Sheila Herlihy Hennessee, VICPP’s director of faith organizing. Here's a link to read a PDF of the book: MatchMadeinHeavenDigital.pdf. 

• SB831 Presumptive Eligibility bill passed in the Senate Health and Education - Health subcommittee.  

Keep your eye out for action alerts on our social media. We ask volunteers to visit VICPP’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages and SHARE or repost our posts Monday through Friday during General Assembly. If you’d like to join the social media team and receive a daily email with links, please email Roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org.  

Next week will bring more committee meetings, bills debates, and coalition actions. Thank you for being part of our community and engaging in this important work. 

Yours in Solidarity,

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook
Co-Executive Director 

YOU can make a difference in a few minutes a day. Join our social media team and share one VICPP Facebook or Instagram post a day (Mon.-Fri.) on your social media during the General Assembly (Jan. 13 -Feb. 22)

Posts will highlight legislation VICPP is supporting, action alerts, and events. Sharing posts will help grow our network and educate the public about our fight for health equity, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, economic justice, and higher education in prisons.

Please email Roberta Oster (Roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org) if you'd like to help or have questions.

Links to VICPP social media: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, racial, and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices
through education, prayer, and action.