VOP Upcoming Events

The Virginia Organizing Project has many events scheduled during the months of October and November. On October 1st in Washington, D.C. there will be a Rural Health Reform dialogue with 5th District Congressman Tom Perriello. The Urban Rural Learning Linkage Living Institute International will provide help with transportation for volenteers interested in attending. On November 6th at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville there will be a Social Justice Bowl VI. This is a community-building soup and bread supper and those who attend receive handcrafted bowls made by local potters. This is a fun event which honors people who have done excellent social justice work in our community. For more information on VOP upcoming events, click link here: http://www.virginia-organizing.org/calendar.php

Virginia Organizing Project Motto

“Real People, Dealing with Real Problems, Working for Real Solutions” is the motto of the VOP. We believe that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity in all aspects of life, regardless of race, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability or country of origin.
We believe that every person in the Commonwealth is entitled to a living wage and benefit package that is sufficient to provide the basic necessities of life, including adequate housing, a nutritious diet, proper child care, sound mental and physical health care, and a secure retirement. We believe that every person is entitled to an equal educational opportunity. Click the link below to learn more about VOP statements of beliefs:
http://www.virginia-organizing.org/principles.php

Racism & Witch Doctors

Former President Jimmy Carter, let the “cat out of the bag” about racism still existing in America; some might say due to the harsh treatment the president has been facing. News flash for those who did not know, racism has always been in America and it will not go away for a black president. Sorry to ruin it for those who thought it would. I’ve seen some harsh pictures of the president. One picture he was a white face joker and the other he was an African witch doctor. I don’t think everyone who disagrees with the president is a racist but what I am clearly saying is racism is embedded in our society whether under the table or at the front door. I found these pictures not only unacceptable but repulsive. We should keep public policy issues the only issues relevant. For the protestors who choose to include these pictures and posters; they do nothing but hurt their cause and furthermore present themselves as fools.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/22/obama-tells-letterman-actually-black-election/?test=latestnews

Mankind becomes an Endangered Species

The issue of climate change is brutally severe for every man, woman and child despite where you are or where you come from. Both our health and safety are in massive jeopardy. Raising sea levels threaten every coast line, powerful storms and floods threaten every continent. There has been an increase in droughts and crops which breed hunger and conflict. There are so many big issues but America and all nations around the world, regardless of how big or small, must band together for this common cause. Worker’s rights, health care reform, predatory lending, education, auto market and Wall Street combined still does not have the potential to destroy the American society and every other nation like climate change. Hey you don’t believe me, then just turn on your television to the news. Better yet let me help you, just click the link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/22/obama.climate.change/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Letter to the Editor

Virginia Organzing Project member Tammi Nichols writes a letter to the editor voicing her support for the Employee Free Choice Act.
I am writing to voice my support for the Employee Free Choice Act (S. 560, H.R. 1409) which has recently been reintroduced in Congress. The economic tailspin has put the middle class, our country's backbone, in peril. Rising health care costs, home foreclosures, stagnant wages, and shrinking retirement plans are all taking a huge toll. To revive the economy and rebuild the middle class in the long term, we need to empower workers to bargain for better wages and benefits. The Employee Free Choice Act will do just that - allowing workers to form a union when a majority of them want one. It will also stiffen penalties on employers who harass, intimidate, and fire workers for their support of a union.The Employee Free Choice Act is a critical piece of our economic recovery. I'm confident you'll continue to represent the best interests of workers in your district by supporting it. Scroll down to Employee Free Choice Day of Action. click link: http://sumofchange.com/index.html

Voter Education - Voter Registration - Restoration of Rights

The Virginia Organizing Project is pushing for reform. The Civic Engagement and Education event VOTER EDUCATION ~ VOTER REGISTRATION~ RESTORATION OF RIGHTSPetersburg Chapter is SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to come to 500 FLEET STREET, BENEDICT CLUB, PETERSBURG VA SPONSORS INCLUDE VIRGINIA ORGANIZING PROJECT, DELTA SIGMA THETA PETERSBURG ALUMNI CHAPTER, STREET CERTIFIED, PRINCE GEORGE-HOPEWELL VOLUNTEERS FOR CHANGE AND JIM WILLIAMS.

ARRESTED for asking about HIGH INSURANCE RATES

Joe Szakos leads the Virginia Organizing Project, an almost fifteen year-old community organization that Health Care for America Now works with in Virginia to organize for health care reform. Szakos's organization employs dozens of people, and they get their health care through Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.This year, Szakos was informed that Anthem was going to increase the premiums on Virginia Organizing Project's health plan by 14.1%. Szakos immediately had questions. His first question was why Anthem using its resources to lobby against health care reform with a public health insurance option while at the same time increasing rates by 14.1%? When Szakos went to speak with Anthem about the matter he was arrested. Shocking but true, to view video footage click here: http://blog.healthcareforamericanow.org/2009/09/17/for-asking-why-your-insurance-rates-increase-you-can-be-arrested/

Obama's Healthcare Insurance Reform Plan

Some Americans are confused as to what exactly is President Barack Obama's healthcare reform plan. The President's plan clearly outlines his policy if you have healthcare insurance, if you do not have healthcare insurance and his plan for all Americans. click link to learn more about Pres. Obama's healthcare insurance reform plan. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hcsignon/?source=OM_LB_google_HC-search_hreform_tc&gclid=CPXBivPt_pwCFVRM5QodAUFhbg

I Support The Employee Free Choice Act

I am writing to voice my support for the Employee Free Choice Act (S. 560, H.R. 1409) which has recently been reintroduced in Congress. We need the Employee Free Choice Act to offset rising health care costs, home foreclosures, stagnant wages, and shrinking retirement plans. To revive the economy and rebuild the middle class in the long term, we need to empower workers to bargain for better wages and benefits. The Employee Free Choice Act will strengthen penalties against employers who break the law. The act strengthens workers’ ability to achieve a first contract within a reasonable period of time. The act gives workers a free choice and a fair path to choose to form a union.
The Employee Free Choice Act is a critical piece of our economic recovery. I'm confident you'll continue to represent the best interests of workers in your district by supporting it. Scroll down to Employee Free Choice Day of Action. click link here:http://www.virginia-organizing.org/media_releases.php#68

VOP Supporting Health Care Reform in VA

Virginia Organizing Project members are supporting health care reform around Virginia. "We’re closer than we’ve been to meaningful health care reform in 60 years. This reform will provide accessible, affordable, quality health care for ALL Virginians. Legislation has been passed by three House Committees and one Senate Committee that meets these goals." The Virginia Organizing Project and Health Care for America Now members across the state have attended Town Hall meetings, written letters to the editor, canvassed with their neighbors, and made phone calls to urge our Members of Congress to support this legislation. I insist that we MUST keep this up! Please take the time to call 1-877-264-4226 and ask Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb and all of our 11 U.S. Representatives to support this health care legislation. http://www.virginia-organizing.org/healthcare.php

Young Black Males In Society

“Have a goal, work at it and always remember nobody has the right to take away your destiny. Your destiny is in your hands.” These are the words of Dr. Kanu, VSU Interim Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education. Dr. Kanu gave this opening remark during the Young Professional Network Campaign to Empower Youth. Mario Van Peebles, director of film Bring Your “A” Game, said that 75% of whites graduate from high school. The amount of Asians that complete high school is at 77% and only 50% of African Americans receive their high school diploma. http://www.vsu.edu/pages/2662.asp?item=12627

VSU's 124th Annual Opening Convocation

Virginia State University’s 124th Annual Opening Convocation welcomed VSU alumni, students, family and friends to an exciting school year. President of the student government association, Cassandra Campbell told students during her speech, “I expect you all to take a proactive step and become involved in Trojan land.” After Campbell’s speech, President Eddie N. Moore was introduced by keynote speaker Dr. W. Weldon Hill. President Moore began his speech by saying to his audience to stand before them was an honor and he was pleased to be their speaker for the evening. From there Pres. Moore went on to say this will be the last academic year of his presidency. http://www.vsu.edu/pages/2662.asp?item=12619

V.O.P. on Capitol Hill

On Sept. 9, 2009 I visited Capitol Hill along with the Virginia Organizing Project to push the Employee Free Choice Act -- EFCA-- agenda. In attendance were members from various constituent groups such as civil rights activists, environmentalists, education advocates, worker’s rights advocates, women’s’ rights activists and faith based organizations. According to Father Les Schmidt, a Bishop Liaison for the forty-eight Catholic Church, the Employee Free Choice Act is an important issue to the faith community. The EFCA bill is an issue of justice in the workplace. Father Schmidt says, “A worker can always be left out or canceled. Our present system is broken. Employees need the right to organize without fear of intimidation from employers.” Father Schmidt says, “Justice delayed or justice deferred is always justice denied.” Srcoll down to Employee Free Choice Day of Action. click link:
http://sumofchange.com/index.html

Eugene Robinson visits VSU

Author of book “American Politics & Journalism in the age of Obama” was born 1968 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The town of Orangeburg was governed by Jim Crow laws which legally segregated businesses and schools by race. During this time there was a protest -now known as the Orangeburg Massacre - that tried to counter the Jim Crow laws. The Orangeburg massacre was the motivation that sparked Robinson’s desire to write.

Robinson has worked as a columnist and editor for the Washington Post for over twenty-five years. In 2009, Robinson received a Pulitzer Prize award for his commentary on the 2008 presidential election. http://www.vsu.edu/pages/2662.asp?item=12601

Healthcare Reform, the Time is NOW!

The Virginia Organizing Project is a grassroots organization based in the community to assure that the average Virginian can make their concerns and voices heard in matters that involve public legalities. The VOP is demanding that the Public Health Insurance Plan is a choice for Virginians to establish better insurance health care reform. I support the Virginia Organizing Project in their efforts to secure a more sufficient health care plan for Virginians. I encourage all Viriginians to call Senator Warner at 1-888-436-8427 and tell him to support the choice of a Public Health Insurance Plan. The time more than ever is NOW! http://www.virginia-organizing.org/