News & Commentary

In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic now spreading through America and across the Commonwealth, we have closed our physical office temporarily and are continuing our work remotely. 

Black History Month ends today, but racial injustices persist and remain a pervasive part of Black lives and Black experiences in America. It is important to take a long hard look at the history we carry and examine systems of racial oppression and how they manifest in modern-day Virginia.

In early January, Gov. Ralph Northam introduced his agenda, which included “marijuana decriminalization,” giving the illusion that Virginia is moving toward actual criminal legal reforms. Unfortunately, HB 972 would cause more harm to Black and brown people and criminalize youth,

The only way to stop the harm of marijuana laws against people of color is to repeal the prohibition on marijuana possession and use from the code completely.This is the first step in the right direction to eliminating racist drug enforcement.

By Paul Smith, vice president of Campaign Legal Center, and Claire Gastañaga, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia. This op-ed was originally published in The Roanoke Times on Sunday, Feb.9, 2020.

By Valerie Slater, executive director, RISE for Youth

My cause is important, my past is important, how I felt about being sexually harassed is important. I matter, and what I went through matters. I don’t want anyone else who is in my position to have to go through what I did. Everyone has the right to not be discriminated against because of their sex,

We look to Dr. King as a beacon of hope as we continue his work and the work of those who came before us to free all people from the shadows of oppression, so that all of us can breathe free and have a voice in our America.

Voting by no-excuse absentee ballot has been successful in other localities across the country. Adopting a true no-excuse absentee voting would simplify the process, increase voter participation, and help expand Virginians' access to cast their vote they deserve.