JOIN THE KEEP GOING TOGETHER

LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORK GROUP

TURN UP THE VOLUME

SHOW UP AND ACT NOW

If you’re like us, you’ve been stunned by the recent political developments. It’s scary and sickening and almost beyond comprehension. But it is important now that we do comprehend it. 

In the past few days:

• The Supreme Court allowed the President to rewrite the Constitution with an Executive Order (EO). On July 27, 2025, the 14th Amendment will no longer grant birthright citizenship to babies born in the US if their parents are not citizens or here legally. And once this is done, as Justice Sotomayor wrote, “No right is safe in the new legal regime created by the Supreme Court.” ANY Amendment could be rewritten with an EO – freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, women’s right to vote – any and all could be made the law of the land.

SOURCE: Professor issues chilling prediction about Trump targeting 'every right' we have by Alexander Willis, June 27, 2025

https://www.rawstory.com/birthright-citizenship-2672446824/

• With the passage of the Big Bill on July 3, 2025, the President now has at his disposal, an  enforcement arm that is similar in size to the armies of Canada, Italy, and Israel, focused not on protecting US citizens and residents but on apprehending US Citizens and residents – anyone they choose. These personnel go unidentified, follow no rule of law and intentionally inflict harm and suffering. This is the American gestapo and the Bill has funded them extravagantly. 

SOURCE: The New Republic, Congress Gives ICE More Money Than It Could Have Ever Imagined, July 3 2025, https://newrepublic.com/post/197612/congress-ice-trump-budget-immigration

• The Department of Justice issued  a memo on June 11, 2025 that threatens 25 million naturalized citizens with loss of citizenship and deportation for any reason the DoJ feels is important to pursue.  This includes your friend who was born in another country but has lived here their whole adult life. This includes your friend’s adopted child who was born in another country. This includes our neighbors who took the oath of citizenship at Monticello on July 4, 2025. 

SOURCE: Joyce Vance, Taking Away Your Citizenship, July 1, 2025  https://joycevance.substack.com/p/taking-away-your-citizenship

In the past days, the trajectory of our country has been unilaterally altered toward an authoritarian police state. The politicians will not save us. The courts will not save us. WE are the only guardrail left. WE must  show up and speak out in large numbers. We have to do this and we have to do this together. 

THIS WEEK: Show up at the City Council meeting on Monday, July 7

We need to TURN UP THE VOLUME so everyone in our community understands the risks.

Local media hasn’t reported on the pressure City government and law enforcement have been under to comply with the federal government. Local media isn’t reporting on the threats they are now facing from the Department of Justice and Homeland Security.

Local government needs to know that we will back them up.

Local media hasn’t reported that the DoJ is threatening naturalized citizens. 

Our neighbors need to know that we will back them up.

Local media hasn’t explained that the Supreme Court has allowed the President to rewrite the Constitution with an Executive Order. 

Everyone in this community needs to know and understand what is at stake.We ask folks to do any (or all) of these things:

1. Show up and Speak. Physical presence at meetings makes a difference. So please supportively attend upcoming City Council, BOS and Jail Board meetings to reinforce the message of our speakers. NOTE: You do NOT have to live in the City or the County in order to speak! If you’re interested in speaking, we have folks to help you with messaging that supports the most impacted people and even help in how to deliver a message with calm and clarity. See below for local government meeting schedules.

2. Send letters to local representatives about current topics particularly but not limited to immigration policies. Letters are also helpful to ask for clarity about their positions and encourage engagement and dialogue. Please send emails/letters individually addressed (i.e., NOT “Dear City Council” bur rather written to each person) about the current issues with specific asks to lawmakers. Directory of City Council here https://www.charlottesville.gov/677/City-Council Find your Supervisor here: https://www.albemarle.org/government/board-of-supervisors/who-is-my-supervisor

3.  Support and share the Central VA Community Support Fund which supports individuals and families facing separation and legal uncertainty. The fund is hosted by Congregate Charlottesville and donations are tax-deductible. The ActBlue link for on-line donations: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ccfreedomfund

Join us by completing the form below and you will receive information and resources every two weeks about the latest situation and the most impactful actions you can take. If you would like to join our Local Government Work Group Signal group, please go here. The local government represents us and we need to show them what our values are and that we are following this situation closely. Please be part of our local movement to make a difference for vulnerable people.