Following Election Day, Richmond For All’s membership will celebrate the defeat of the casino effort — securing a NO Vote majority on the referendum. We’ll celebrate in solidarity with Richmond community members who turned out in record numbers to avoid this iteration of extractive corporate development that would exploit and harm our most vulnerable communities.
“I am so proud of our organization and our city. We proved that an organized grassroots can defeat moneyed interests. We believe in knocking on doors and talking to our neighbors. That’s what made the difference.”
— Quinton Robbins, RFA’s Political Director & #CommunitiesNotCasinos Team Lead
This victory was won through grassroots community organizing. Through one-on-one conversations with community members; listening to and learning from our fellow Richmonders’ conditions, needs, and desires; and speaking truth to power about what real economic and community development looks like. Richmond For All has again shown what a multiracial, multigenerational progressive organization can achieve in coalition. We are grateful for the leadership of Katherine Jordan, Kenya Gibson, and Stephanie Rizzi — public officials who were on the right side of this critical issue. We convey our sincere gratitude to Paul Goldman of the Vote No RVA Casino committee for his support and tireless work on this issue. We also thank all of our donors, volunteers, canvassers, community partners, and supporters.
Throughout this electoral season, Richmond progressives have faced a challenging landscape: first, a legitimate challenge for the governorship from a Republican candidate whose campaign was buoyed by revanchist white backlash, and second, a Democratic Party that sought to entrench corporate interests at the state level. In short: we were called upon to defeat Republicans while simultaneously combatting the profit-over-people projects put forward by the corporate wing of our own party.
The race for Governor and the referendum on the casino — these races should not be close. Taken together, the narrowness of the outcomes in the Governor’s race and the casino referendum show the critical need for campaign finance reform and the political defeat of the devastating alliance between moneyed interests and white supremacy. Across both parties, this alliance represents a clear and present danger for Richmonders and for all Virginians — urban, suburban, and rural alike.
Richmond For All is committed to continuing our fight for a city for all: affordable housing, fully-funded public schools, workers’ rights, environmental justice, progressive taxation, and true economic development — not extraction.
We applaud your organizing TEAM efforts in Richmond to defeat the Casino Project. Wein Portsmouth our continuing our fight as well
We could use your insight and support in the continued battle to protect similar communities here in Portsmouth. See the comments and actions we have planned below
Turning Anguish into Action
Justice without the Moral Courage to Act.. Creates Injustice
The Fight for JUST Planning Growth and Development Continues and Expands….
Pictured Casino Development Directly Adjacent to Underresourced Community
What We Are Doing…to Act with Courage
Filing Federal Civil Rights and Related Action to Halt Construction Projects Until Appropriate Impact Assessments Are Conducted
Continuing the Compilation of A Comprehensive Cumulative Impacts Assessment
Working Closely with Appropriate State Agencies to Ensure Environmental Justice and Related Principals Are Incorporated Into all appropriate licensing, permits and impact studies ( Stare of Virginia Environmental Justice Interagency Working Group)
Working Closely with State Agencies to Develop Procedural Documents to Guide the Conduct of Cumulative Impact Studies ( State of Virginia Environmental Justice Interagency Working Group)
Note Senior State Officials announced they are exploring the use of cumulative impact studies and are benchmarking with other states that utilize such tools)
Continuing Community Organizing and Mobilizing and Coalition Building to Amplify Voices from underresourced neighborhoods
Conducting studies with leading universities on compounded environmental impacts resulting from projects
Continuing to push for meaningful engagement if public in actual processes that matter ( ie including design)
Note Post Process Updates and Marketing DO NOT constitute meaningful community engagement as defined by EPA and other agencies
Working with large construction and development firms to advance the design of data driven equity tools to more properly assess impacts and provide input to design selection.
Building capacity through alignment and partnership with state and national legal groups
Benchmarking best practices from cities and resident based groups who have faced similar challenges and succeed
Justice without the Moral Courage to Act..Creates Injustice
COME Join Us …As We Continue this Fight ‼️
Read More Below
https://urbanresilience.medium.com/new-naacp-report…
Contact me for further details on planned actions
gharris@csc-hamptonroads.org
How about repealing machine and tool tax ??? It was designed to eliminate middle class jobs from Richmond now that it has served it’s purpose let’s get rid of it.
How about supporting mayor that can add and subtract ..we have not had coheriant management since Bill Lindengar left office ..and that was long time ago.
How about mayor that would bring meanigfull change to clean up the police force the sheriff’s office and eliminat corruption in city hall. ???