What: Virtual roundtable with Rep. Donald McEachin, parents, and community leaders
When: Tuesday, August 25 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97771101663?pwd=eVZnVmF4OWJCOS9ab2xvbFFMajNIdz09
or phone: 646-518-9805
Meeting ID: 977 7110 1663
Passcode: 269095
Richmond, Va. — Virginia Organizing will host a virtual roundtable with special guest Rep. Donald McEachin on Tuesday, August 25 at 5:30 p.m. to call for a strong COVID-19 relief package from Congress. Despite the collapse of municipality budgets and the urgent need for economic support for struggling families, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Trump administration have failed to agree to adequate funding for critical issues such as relief payments for immigrants and public education.
“The lives of all human beings are equally important,” said Sendy Portillo, a leader in the Richmond Chapter of Virginia Organizing. “But if undocumented people and their families who have gotten sick with the virus continue to not receive economic relief, they will have no choice but to continue working, potentially exposing other people who also must continue to work, putting even more lives in our community in danger.”
Cynthia Reyes, another Richmond Chapter leader, wants to know how the Richmond schools will manage without any assistance.
“Our schools were already struggling before Covid-19 hit,” she said, “but after Covid, the families that don’t have the resources have fallen even further behind. We can’t afford personal tutors. Schools in my neighborhoods can’t even afford after-school programs, let alone what we need now, and all the while the world is falling apart around our kids. They are our future. They’re the ones that are going to keep on fighting for what’s right. The Federal government can help us; if they give us the proper tools, our families are going to take them and make something of them for our children. But that’s a big if.”
In May, Virginia Organizing released a letter signed by more than 140 state and local officials—including many elected officials in the Richmond area—calling for a robust COVID-19 relief package to create a strong, equitable recovery. Urgency for federal action on relief and recovery has been building over the past month as more than 900,000 Virginians filed unemployment claims by early July. Without substantial federal assistance, Virginia could lose up to 135,100 jobs by 2021, plunging more families into hardship and slowing economic recovery.
After speakers share their opening remarks, community members and reporters will be able to ask questions and participate in the moderated discussion.
To interview a spokesperson about this event, contact Addie Alexander at 434-249-4058 or addie@virginia-organizing.org.
