Posts Tagged ‘VCU’

Sign Making Party and Potluck for March Against Monsanto

Posted: May 17, 2013 in Marches
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The Wingnut Anarchist Collective is hosting a full-on SIGN MAKING PARTY for the March Against Monsanto on thursday (May 23rd) evening at 4pm-8pm. We will have some supplies but please try bringing your own signage and supplies if possible. This is also a non-GMO potluck and we encourage people to even bring local produce if they know anyone who would want to buy/trade them. Learn your locals, get active and come visit us at The Wingnut for various other workshops and events around richmond. Thank you all. Be safe. It’s hot out there.

 

Event Page link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/355658477877810/?fref=ts

Creative Process and Community Organizing- Survey Participant Request

Posted: May 2, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Creative Process and Community Organizing – Participant Request Template

Dear _______________,

I am helping to recruit participants in a research project being conducted by Jason Sawyer and Andrew Schoeneman at Virginia Commonwealth University. The purpose of the project is to understand how creativity, the creative process, and the arts are used in community organizing and social change. As someone who currently or formerly participated in community organizing efforts, you would be eligible to participate. All you have to do is complete an online survey which will take about 20 minutes. Before doing that, you can contact Jason or Andrew at the email addresses or phone numbers below. Or you can simply click on the link below and complete the survey.

Jason Sawyer
Email: sawyerjm2@vcu.edu
Phone: 804-882-0647

Andrew Schoeneman
Email: schoenemanac@vcu.edu
Phone: 804-874-0261

Link to the survey: http://qeasttrial.us2.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_ePys2jw5yyhHdGZ

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

_________________The Wingnuts________

PS – If you would like to help recruit more participants, please copy and paste the body of this email and send it by email to anyone currently or formerly involved in community organizing. Thanks!

May Day Cooking for the VCU Living Wage Campaign- Food Not Bombs Solidarity!

Posted: April 28, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Join Richmond Food Not Bombs to help cook for the May Day Living Wage at VCU Rally.
May 1st at 10am at 1401 West Leigh Street (not the same address where we cook on Sundays)

Much of the prep work will take place before the cooking period; don’t be alarmed by the short period of time.

Food Not Bombs is making rice, chili, and green salad to serve after the VCU Living Wage Campaign’s May Day rally for a living wage. The cooking will take place at Kat McNeal’s house, near the Lombardy Kroger. If you become lost, call Kat at 703-859-0393.

We need extra hands primarily for loading the vehicles, some vehicles to load, and some people who feel comfortable lifting heavy pots of hot food. We will serve at 1pm, at Monroe Park.

We also need a volunteer to print handbills for FNB, to provide to diners who may not have heard of us.

May Day Rally for a Living Wage at VCU- catered by Food Not Bombs

Posted: April 26, 2013 in Uncategorized
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maydayrallyvcu

Wednesday May 1st from 12 noon to 1pm at the VCU Commons Plaza

May Day is a day to celebrate the victories of the working-class in their struggles against exploitation and oppression throughout history. Join the Living Wage Campaign and its allies on May Day, International Workers’ Day, as we rally for a living wage for service workers at VCU.

The average VCU service employee, especially those working through Aramark, rarely receives a pay raise. Many VCU employees must hold more than one job just to make ends meet. At the same time, many adjunct professors also do not make a livable salary and have no insurance or job security.

It is our tuition money that funds VCU, and we have every right to be outraged. The mistreatment of workers and the misplaced priorities of VCU come at the expense of the students as well.

The rally will start at noon in the Commons/Ram’s Plaza (where the big ram horns are).

Richmond Food Not Bombs will be providing some food for folks at this rally as an act of solidarity. If you are able to, bring some money to donate to FNB, or bring a grocery item we use (oil, sugar, salt, flour, spices, pasta, rice) etc. You could also come help us cook any Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 at 2005 Barton Avenue, come eat in the park every Sunday at 4pm at the corner of Main and Belvidere in Monroe Park, or come clean up after the meal at 2005 Barton Avenue.

Here is the link for the facebook event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/372157122898759/?fref=ts

rvalivingwage

RVA Food Not Bombs October 2012 Can Drive

Posted: October 3, 2012 in Uncategorized
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From: http://www.active-rva.tumblr.com

RVA Food Not Bombs October 2012 Can Drive

Food Not Bombs is calling for canned vegan vegetables to replenish their pantry. The drive lasts from today until Halloween.

There are three dropoff locations for canned goods, for now:

1. The Wingnut Anarchist Collective, at 2005 Barton Avenue. Leave the cans in the provided container on the stairs. This location is not wheelchair/mobility accessible.

2. Crenshaw House, at 919 West Franklin Street. There is a box immediately inside the door, clearly marked with a bright gold poster with an arrow. This location is also not wheelchair/mobility accessible. (The GSEX team, who helped get this lined up, has a Tumblr here.)

3. The VCU Office of Multiculturalism and Student Affairs, on the second floor of the Monroe Park VCU Student Commons. The box is bright red and marked with a poster, and immediately inside the office. The office itself is also marked with a bright gold poster, designating the spot a dropoff location. This location IS wheelchair/mobility accessible, by elevator.

If you know of another place that might be open to hosting a donation box, please message this Tumblr- especially if the location is further from VCU campus, and/or accessible.

Some good canned items to donate are: black, kidney, white, and pinto beans, tomatoes, peaches, corn, and tomato sauce. Every meal is vegan, so please check labels (especially for seasoned beans) to make sure there’s no meat, dairy, or egg products in the cans.

While Food Not Bombs prepares the bulk of each meal from fresh foods that grocery stores would otherwise throw away, sometimes non-perishable items are needed to augment the meal- and sometimes, a pickup is small or doesn’t come through. Food Not Bombs can also be called upon to cater for events; for example, FNB has catered the Virginia People’s Assembly, rePHRAME meetings, and IWW events.

Food Not Bombs cooks every Sunday at 12:30pm at the Wingnut Anarchist Collective (2005 Barton Avenue), and eats at 4:00pm in Monroe Park, at the intersection of Main and Belvidere streets. Everyone is welcome for either or both.

Updates on Jeremy’s run in with the law.

Posted: October 12, 2011 in Anarchist Black Cross, Anarchist Organizing, Copwatch, Police Brutality, Richmond, Richmond Organizations
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On September 27th, several of us went to the Manchester court building to support Jeremy at his preliminary hearing for the charges filed against him by the VCU Police. For those of you who might not know, Jeremy was arrested on charges of slashing 7 VCU car tires, worth $1,330.00, making the charge a felony destruction of property. Jeremy and his public defender, at the hearing, were allowed to see some of the evidence that VCU has against him, and surprise surprise, without having any physical evidence (besides a few pictures of Jeremy AFTER he had been arrested and the picture of a tool confiscated after his arrest), the judge ruled that the case would be continued in a Grand Jury hearing on November 7. The Commonwealths’ attorney, Christopher Toepp, is the same friend of the police who tried to convict those arrested in the Monroe Park Occupation at the beginning of the year, as well as the Defenders in the African Burial Ground protest. He lost both of those cases,  but Jeremy was also told that he specifically requested this trial because “he wants to see it done right” and that he is looking for a felony conviction and jail time for Jeremy.

Jeremy will be sticking with his public defender for the time being, and has been fundraising for the last month or so to raise money for another attorney. Unfortunately, lawyers are unrightfully expensive, and the person he has in mind to represent him requires a $2,500 retainer fee to even start working on the case. Any help would be greatly appreciated, whether it be financial, advice, a friendly word, or  helping to put on a fundraising event to benefit his legal fund.  Also Jeremy has requested that as many people who can attend further trial dates as supporters is essential and appreciated, the more eyes and ears during this ordeal the better.  There has been no word yet as to whether or not Jeremy will be able to attend the Nov. 7 date, as it is usually private to the judge and attorneys involved.

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so using our handy PayPal button on the website, and be sure to specify what you want the money to be used for.

Thanks everyone for your support so far and in the future!

Reportback from Occupy Richmond Meeting & Video

Posted: October 7, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Last night was the 2nd public meeting of people working to organize Occupy Richmond. This movement has no leaders, no organizers, no hierarchy. The meeting yesterday was not perfect, as could have been expected. There were over 250 people there, many new to organizing, consensus process, facilitating and more.

The main decisions being made yesterday were regarding the time, date, and location of the beginning of the Occupation. A large group started off the discussion, going through some bare bones facilitation and decision making basics. Then folks split into smaller groups to talk about the date and location.

In smaller groups and in smaller conversations throughout the night, there were many discussion about the economy, politics, rights and more. The types of discussions that do not happen on a very regular basis among strangers in Virginia. Just having these discussions, no matter how imperfect, is significant.

Ultimately, what was decided was to avoid conflicting with the TRAP protest already scheduled for October 15th from 1-3pm in Monroe Park. TRAP is the recent Virginia legislation aimed at forcing abortion clinics to meet hospital standards, which would have the chilling effect of shutting down 17 of the state’s 21 abortion clinics. This new rule, wrapped up in the word safety and health, is really about limiting women’s rights to abortion and the health care they need.

The Occupy Richmond group is encouraging people to participate in the TRAP protest. Occupy Richmond will then meet at 4pm on October 15th in Monroe Park. At that time a location will be chosen for the Occupation. Repeat, location TBD.

On the issue of location, there were many ideas thrown around. Kanawah Plaza, Monroe Park, Capitol Hill, FedEx Plaza, locations around VCU, and more were all discussed. There were some folks fixated on Kanawah Plaze for its proximity to the Federal Reserve Bank. Others pointed out that the Federal Reserve Bank is not necessarily the main target of this event. Also that the consequences of trespassing/making mistakes at the Federal Reserve are a lot higher than other places. And that Occupying Kanawaha Plaza would displace homeless persons who sleep there on a regular basis.

This meeting was not perfect, by any means. Folks from marginalized groups swiftly felt marginalized by the process, which is not a good place to start. More white men spoke than other people. Issues of privilege were not really addressed, or understood by many folks in the crowd. Instead of actual consensus “modified consensus” was used, which basically makes it a direct democracy with a limit on how large the majority must be to silence the minority.Hopefully folks (not from marginalized groups) can step up as the Occupy Richmond idea continues to do some education and discussion regarding issues of privilege, among other things.

However, there were a lot of new faces, and a lot of good conversations that did occur. The creation of an autonomous space, in and of itself, can be an empowering positive thing. When this space is created, hopefully radical and anarchist and awesome people in Richmond can find inspiring ways to use this space. Workshops, discussions, and more are all possible once a space has been established.

Here is a video of part of the meeting:

Again- in the time between now and the 15th there is a lot of preparation and education that can be done. From Know Your Rights workshops, to getting new batteries for a flashlight, to taking a few minutes to read about privilege, anyone planning on participating in this occupation owes it to themselves and there fellow occupiers to do some preparing if they can.

http://www.monroeparkoccupation.wordpress.com has information about an occupation of Monroe Park that happened earlier in 2011.

Troy Davis murdered in Georgia

Posted: September 22, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Yesterday we held a demonstration and vigil in downtown Richmond for Troy Anthony Davis. He was scheduled to be executed at 7pm last night in Georgia. There was an inspiring turn out of supporters for the demonstration and vigil, with local groups such as the Anarchist Black Cross, Defenders of Freedom Justice and Equality, Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, and Amnesty International. There were students from local community colleges, VCU, and UofR.

In Monroe Park ,while we were holding an 8 minute silent vigil, we received word that the execution had been postponed. Clapping went up in our crowd of 40-50 people. We learned that this stay might be as brief as moments, or could be hours, and that the warrant for Troy’s death was good until midnight.

Georgia executed Troy Davis after 10pm last night. Another casualty to the race and class wars in this country. Another victim to be added to the ever growing list of people murdered by the state.

We must not forget Troy Davis. We must not forget, as he said, that there are many more Troy Davis’. We must not forget the failure of petitions, letters, protests, UN requests, Amnesty International requests, NAACP requests and more. Asking did not work. The justice system does not work. The people, locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally are not listened to when we use our voices.

Now is the time to start thinking about how, as a movement, we can be listened to, and what that will take. What we must do to create real change. How we can stop people from being tortured and dying in jails and prisons. We can start addressing all of these issues here in Richmond. We can build stronger movements. There are next steps to be taken.

There is no peace for Troy Davis or anyone else to rest in. We must honor their memories by continuing to struggle for freedom and against oppression in all of its forms.

 

 

Post Copwatch Field Trip to Lockup Proves to be No Fun At All

Posted: September 3, 2011 in Anarchist Black Cross, Anarchist Organizing, Copwatch, Police Brutality, Richmond
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After a long and relatively uneventful night of doing Copwatch for first fridays on Broad Street, S and I were ready to make the trek back to the Wingnut to review the footage acquired over the course of the night. It had been an evening of very large groups of very bored pigs, standing in groups of up to ten up and down Broad St., most likely very upset that there were no younger folks of color to push around to pass the time on a Friday night. After a humorous impromptu interview with the 4th precinct commander, Mike Strawder, S and I had made it back to our bikes, parked in front of the New York Pizza restaurant. S had unlocked his bike, and as I bent to unlock my bike, I felt handcuffs close over my left wrist as another pair of hands closed around my right arm. I looked up, and there were at least 15 VCU and Richmond police officers surrounding S and I, and I was promptly told that I was under arrest and that I had a felony warrant out on my head, though they were not, at that moment, very forthcoming about what I the warrant was for. S jumped to his feet and immediately had his camera trained on the officers and myself, and watched as they moved me to an alley “where  no one could see me”. My pockets were searched, my knife confiscated, and my bag taken from me as two undercover agents kept their video cameras trained on me throughout the ordeal.

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Celebrate the Reclamation of the Richmond African Burial Ground/Support the Four Advocates

Posted: May 23, 2011 in Uncategorized
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A reminder that although VCU has finally closed the parking lot on the Richmond African Burial Ground, 4 people still have court this Wednesday over their act of civil disobedience protesting the use of the Burial Ground as a parking lot.  Please come out this Wednesday to support them! Details below.

From the Richmond Defenders:

As the subject header suggests, the battle to reclaim the Richmond African Burial Ground is finally over!  You may recall at the last COC meeting, five individuals volunteered to become members of the Coordinating Committee (CC).  The CC members are:  Autumn Barrett, David Boothe, Donnell Brantley, Rolandah “Cleopattrah” McMillan, and Janet “Queen Nzinga” Taylor.  The charge of the CC is to keep you informed and we will endeavor to do just that.

While we can relish this victory, we must still remain ever vigilant until this Sacred Ground is properly memorialized.  Below is the statement released by the Defenders on behalf of the COC, and important dates for you to remember.  We would also like to thank you, the community, for taking a stand and helping to bring this reclamation to fruition.

We look forward ever, backward NEVER!

Janet B. Taylor
Coordinating Committee
Celebrate the Reclamation of the Burial Ground/Support the Four Advocates
The VCU parking lot which for years desecrated the Richmond African Burial Ground was finally closed, Saturday, May 21 and is scheduled to be removed starting, Tuesday, May 24.  The African Burial Ground, formerly the Burial Ground for Negroes, is the city’s oldest known municipal cemetery for enslaved Africans and free people of African descent.

After years of community agitation, the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year passed a bill authorizing the transfer of the 3.4 acre site from VCU to the City of Richmond.  The City has placed a marker on the site explaining its historical and cultural significance as well as detailing Richmond’s leading role in the internal U.S. slave trade.

Part of the activism that eventually led to the closing of the parking lot occurred, Tuesday, April 12, the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.  Eight community activists were successful in closing down the parking lot for an hour and a half.  Four of the eight -Donnell Brantley, Rolandah “Cleopattrah” McMillan, Autumn Barrett and Phil Wilayto – were subsequently arrested and charged with trespassing.  They are being represented pro bono by the law firm of Benjamin & DesPortes, a leading criminal defense firm.  As McMillan explained, “We decided to close the parking lot ourselves…We wanted the whole world to see that this state institution has no respect for the community that surrounds it.”

For more information, please contact Janet “Queen Nzinga” Taylor, 804-347-3598 or OneRastaQueen@hotmail.com.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Monday, May 23, 6 pm
Public Hearing, Richmond City Council Chambers, 2nd floor/City Hall, 900 W. Broad St. The City will vote to accept the land transfer from VCU.

Tuesday, May 24, 10:30 am
Groundbreaking Ceremony, Richmond African Burial Ground, 15th & Broad streets.

Wednesday, May 25, 9 am
Support vigil outside the Manchester Courthouse, 920 Hull Street, followed by the 10 am trial of the four African Burial Ground advocates who shut down the VCU parking lot, April 12.  Please wear a white shirt or blouse as a show of solidarity.

Sunday, June 5, 4-6 pm
Community Organizing Committee meeting, location TBA. (Note:  Meetings are always the first Sunday of the month, 4-6pm; you will be notified of the location.)

——————————————- Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality A group of Richmond area residents working to improving the lives of people in our community. Phone & Fax 804.644.5834 . PO Box 23202, Richmond VA 23223 . DefendersFJE@hotmail.com
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