Update on the ERA from Progressive Vote:

Update on the ERA from Progressive Vote:

Please sign and share! http://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/ratify-the-equal-rights-amendment-in-virginia

"Thank You for attending the 2014 Virginia People's Assembly for Jobs! Peace! Justice! 

236 people from around the state participated in a full day of workshops and panel discussions, including a rousing mid-day presentation by North Carolina Moral Monday leader, Rev. William Barber, III. Click here to review the Full Program. 

We want to thank Reverend Rodney Hunter, pastor of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, for the use of their wonderful church for this gathering, for the providing dinner and being a part of the program. Thanks also to all the volunteers who worked to ensure the day went well. 

12 resolutions on a range of issues were passed at the end of the day. Click here to read the complete texts. The first VPA action of the year stemmed from the first resolution passed: an 11 am rally at Capitol Square on opening day of the Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2104. 

Over the course of 2013, activists from around the state found it helpful to reference their participation in the annual Virginia People's Assemblies as a way to demonstrate statewide support for their activities, so if one of the 12 resolutions passed covers an issues you are working on, include mention that your issue's resolution was unanimously endorsed by the 2014 VPA. 

A full report-back on this year's VPA will be posted here soon. In the meantime continue the struggle for 

Jobs! Peace! Justice!

HB892 to Ban-the-Box Legislation in Subcommittee Monday Jan. 27

House Bill (HB) 892 to "Ban the Box" is up in subcommittee on Monday, January 27th. It will be in the Criminal Law subcommittee meeting in House Room C in the General Assembly Building (on 9th and Broad).

If you are available we would welcome and encourage you to attend the hearing. The timing unfortunately is not set in stone. The subcommittee meets immediately after the full committee ends, which can vary quite a bit - so it will probably start somewhere between 3-4 pm.

If you are unable to attend

We encourage you to call the members of the subcommittee on Monday morning to voice your support to the bill. Notices will be sent by email on Monday after the hearing to let you know if the bill passes. We hope you will be able to join us in support of this bill.

What is ban-the-box? 

In an effort to put an end to roadblocks that persist for persons with a felony record, Ban the Box seeks to remove questions about an applicant's criminal background from the initial employment forms. This is a fairer employment application process. Additional information visit the Community Restoration Campaign home of the Mobile Justice Tour, and RIHD's home page for information on 2014 legislation affecting former felons and their families: http://www.rihd.org/