Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality

“NO MORE U.S. 'AID' TO ISRAELI APARTHEID GOVERNMENT!" Sunday, Oct. 15, Monroe Park, Richmond, VA! In response to the escalating massacre of the people of Gaza by the Israeli apartheid government, the organization American Muslims for Palestine has called for a protest to take place at 2 pm this Sunday, Oct. 15, in Richmond’s Monroe Park. The protest will demand no more U.S. “aid” to Israel. The Virginia Defenders for Freedom Justice & Equality strongly urge all our friends and allies to join us in supporting this action!

This year's commemoration is in two parts: Part One-- People's Tribunal for Virgina's Prisons, Jail's and Detention Centers --takes place on Sat. Oct. 7 from 10 am to 4 pm and features testimony of current and formerly incarcerated men and women and organizations working for criminal justice transformation. A report from the event will be published in advance of the November 7 election. Find details here: https://fb.me/e/74f1sB7Ie). Part Two-- Breaking the Chains in Virginia --borrows its title from artist Melvin Edwards' depiction of Gabriel the blacksmith transforming iron objects into tools of liberation. Join us on the African Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom as we * Honor the memory of the peopel interred in the first municipal burial ground for Black people of early 19th century Richmond, Virginia, who made up 50% of the population, and * Remember Richmond's role as a slave trading epicenter made it an early site of mass incarceration for the distribution o