Search
Demonstration for Palestine at CNU remains peaceful
As protests pop up at colleges and universities across the nation, community members at Christopher Newport University are some of the latest demonstrators to support the Palestinian people and push leaders toward a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. Community members began organizing at the university’s Great Lawn at 7 p.m. Tuesday as the school’s sprinklers watered the grass.
Missing Middle critic subpoenaed as Arlington County seeks to ‘know what forces’ are behind lawsuit
County government requests for extensive documentation in a Missing Middle lawsuit have expanded to include an outspoken critic who’s helping to fund the suit. Attorneys representing Arlington County contacted Dan Creedon, one of the founders of the anti-Missing Middle group Neighbors for Neighborhoods (NfN), with a broad subpoena last week. … Creedon is not one of the 10 plaintiffs in the litigation, which alleges that the Arlington County Board failed to follow due process when it created the Expanded Housing Option last year. But NfN is financially backing the lawsuit with a GoFundMe campaign that has raised some $72,000 since last June.
Florida’s Abortion Ban Will Reach Well Beyond Florida
As of Wednesday, Florida has banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. It will have far-reaching effects. In 2021, abortion was legal in every state, and the average American woman lived less than 25 miles from a clinic. But after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, some states banned all or most abortions, including many in the South. Florida, North Carolina and Virginia were the only states in the South offering abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. For 6.4 million women, the nearest clinic was in Florida. Now, that option is gone. Women in several states will need to travel hundreds of miles farther to reach a clinic. It is the biggest change to abortion access since the period immediately after the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Virginia free clinics see sharp rise in patient visits
Ill Virginians who cannot afford to go elsewhere for care are continuing to pour into a cornerstone of the state’s health care safety net, free and charitable clinics report. So far in the state fiscal year 2024, patient demand is up 11.5% from the same period a year ago, according to new data from the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. That increase comes on top of the 28% increase the clinics saw in fiscal year 2023.
University of Mary Washington president says arrested students won’t face charges
University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino assured a group of students that he’s been in communication with Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Libby Humphries to ensure that nine of their peers who were arrested for trespassing last weekend as part of a campus protest will not ultimately face criminal charges. That was one revelation that came out of a remarkably candid meeting that Paino held with a group of students on Tuesday in a conference room in George Washington Hall, which houses UMW’s administrative offices.
Protest over student arrests blooms anew on University of Mary Washington campus
From the moment University of Mary Washington sociology professor Nora Kim learned that nine students were arrested on campus Saturday and charged with trespassing after re-erecting an encampment during a nonviolent protest in support of Palestine, she believed police intervention was unwarranted. Kim said that while instructing students she explains to them that they should get involved with causes they are passionate about. Kim helped organize a flower protest — a peaceful and silent demonstration — in support of students’ rights to protest Tuesday morning on campus outside of George Washington Hall.
Stoney voices support for VCU while some on council condemn police response
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney responded to the protests that erupted on Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus last night by stating his support for the university. “My administration and Richmond Police have been in close contact with VCU officials and will continue to support them in their mission to ensure the safety of all students and community members,” Stoney said.
Officials, orgs respond to Virginia-wide protest arrests
More than 100 protesters gathered at dusk Tuesday in Richmond’s Abner Clay Park. People took turns standing on a picnic table to address the pro-Palestine gathering. Those speaking to the crowd, who were mostly seated in the grass, touched on topics like healing and self-care. Several spoke about how to weather aggression from law enforcement, and one led protesters in song. Most also mentioned standing against U.S. support for Israel’s military and called for the disclosure of how Virginia Commonwealth University invests its money following 13 arrests during a similar gathering at the school’s library a day before. Earlier on Tuesday, politicians reacted largely along party lines to recent antiwar protests at three Virginia public colleges — as well as law enforcement’s response.
Va. politicians weigh in on clashes on college campuses
As Gov. Glenn Youngkin backed law enforcement officers who broke up protest encampments on Virginia college campuses, a number of Virginia Democrats asserted Tuesday that officers have gone too far. Some other officials, in both parties, emphasized the right to peacefully protest but said universities cannot allow demonstrators to disrupt campuses and intimidate students.
Virginia Beach denies collective bargaining of city employees
The City Council denied collective bargaining of city employees in a 5-5 vote with one abstention Tuesday, and instead decided to establish employee relations committees for full-time city workers. Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services and public works personnel wanted to negotiate better wages and enhanced employment conditions. But Mayor Bobby Dyer said the timing wasn’t right yet “given the budget constraints we have now.”