What: Restoration of Civil Rights Celebration and Information Session for Returning Citizens

When: Wednesday, June 29 at 6 p.m.

Where: Calvary Baptist Church (218 Holbrook Street, Danville, VA 24541)

Speaker: Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson

Danville, Va.— Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson will join Virginia Organizing and Southwest CARES on June 29 at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church (218 Holbrook Street, Danville, VA 24541) to explain the Governor’s recent order regarding restoration of rights and provide information to returning citizens on qualifications for restoration.

“No one should have to serve their time and then struggle in society just to be accepted as a human being,” said Virginia Organizing leader and returning citizen Marty Jackson. “Having your rights back makes you feel certain there will be other opportunities ahead of you. It motivated me to look forward to the future. Now I don’t feel like a returning citizen, I feel like a true citizen. I’m grateful that Governor Terry McAuliffe did this so that men and women who are returning back into society can feel more capable of being a part of their communities.”

“Governor McAuliffe believes that if we are going to build a stronger and more equal Virginia, we must break down barriers to participation in civic life for people who return to society seeking a second chance,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson. “I am grateful for the work Virginia Organizing does in communities around the Commonwealth and look forward to joining the organization to discuss and celebrate the Governor’s restoration order.”

Virginia Organizing Board member and Danville Chapter leader Lily Hungarland hopes the event will highlight the importance of this victory.

“It is important to spread the good news about Governor McAuliffe’s historic executive order bringing Virginia up to date with basic human rights. I am excited to hear from the Secretary of the Commonwealth about how this change is going to positively affect Virginians,” said Hungarland.

Virginia Organizing plans to hold celebration and information sessions across Virginia to help returning citizens understand the qualifications for restoration of rights under the Governor’s executive order and help those who need to register to vote. A previous session was held in Virginia Beach in May.

For more information or to interview a spokesperson of Virginia Organizing, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.

Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia. 

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