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Emails from Iran

By Va Defenders FJE
On March 1, the day after the U.S. and Israel launched their unprovoked war against Iran, the Virginia Defenders wrote to an old friend in Tehran and asked if he and his family were OK. The friend is Habib Ahmadzadeh, a prominent author and filmmaker whom we met during our 2007 journey through Iran. The emails we have received from Habib tell the story you won’t hear from the corporate media. We hope they will inspire you to speak out loudly and demand an end to this senseless, murderous war.  As new emails arrive they will be added to the page, The Emails. Please share widely. You can also subscribe to this blog to receive notifications of each update.
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Friends in the Struggle: King Salim Khalfani (1959-2026)

By Va Defenders FJE
King Salim Khalfani  
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U&A March 12, 2026: No War On Iran!

By Va Defenders FJE
Current issue:  U&A March 12, 2026 - No War On Iran!   Recent past issue: U&A February 26, 2026 - ICE OUT of RVA!
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TONIGHT! 2/7 @ 7 - BIG Rent Party!

By Va Defenders FJE
IMMIGRANT SUPPORT The New Virginia Majority, Richmond Tenants Union, and Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality, along with other allied groups are hosting a rent party this Saturday, February 7th from 7-11pm at Studio Two Three! Our goal is to raise $10,000 with all proceeds directly supporting families who are currently under threat of eviction by the city. This need is urgent so limited presale tickets available. Purchase on Venmo  @richmond -tenants. Tickets available at the door. Please bring cash for drinks, raffles and more! Thank you to our generous DJs and performers for gifting us with their time & talents! Thanks to the individuals, groups and businesses that are making this event happen. Get your dance on and stand up for your neighbors! We protect us. ————————— ¡New Virginia Majority, Richmond Tenants Union y Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality, junto con otros grupos aliados, estamos organizando una fiesta benéfica este sábado 7 de f...
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Immigrant Support Work Should Not Put Vulnerable Communities in Harm’s Way

By Va Defenders FJE
Haga clic aquí para ver el comunicado en español. Immigrant Support Work Should Not Put Vulnerable Communities in Harm’s Way STATEMENT BY THE VIRGINIA DEFENDERS CONCERNING THE PARTY FOR SOCIALISM & LIBERATION Jan. 20, 2026 - Richmond, Virginia In the 24-year history of the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, we have never once felt the need to publicly criticize another progressive organization. We have had our differences, but always believed it was best to avoid infighting in the movement and instead demonstrate our own politics and practice by our actions and writings. However, an escalating series of events has led us to the conclusion that we can no longer be silent about the actions of an organization that has deliberately put vulnerable people in real danger. Jan. 7 Rally On Jan 7, 2026, the Richmond chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) held a rally at Richmond’s Monroe Park to protest the fatal shooting of an unarmed legal observe...
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EMERGENCY ICE OUT OF VIRGINIA RALLY! Sun. Jan. 18 at Monroe Park

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SUNDAY, JAN. 18: EMERGENCY PROTEST: ICE OUT! In response to reports of a large influx of ICE agents, Richmond-area immigrants rights activists to hold rally In response to a noticeably sharp increase in the presence of ICE agents in the Richmond area, local immigrant rights organizations are calling for a rally at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 at Richmond’s Monroe Park, in the 600 block of West Main Street. The organizations co-sponsoring the rally are Virginia Immigrants for Life, Liberation, Autonomy and Solidarity (VILLAS) and The Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality.  Credible sources have reported that the federal government has sent around 180 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to Richmond as of Friday, Jan. 16. ICE has been here for years and recently has been more visible on the streets, but this seems to be a sharp escalation in their numbers.  We’re holding the rally to call on state and local elected officials including Gov. Abigail Spanberger and R...
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