Busy Weekend

We have a busy weekend of activism ahead in Richmond. Be sure to read the calendar of events below. As the state prepares to enact new regulations that threaten the future of reproductive health clinics, Richmond hosts a rally on Saturday to protest the war on women's health care and reproductive choice.

The Occupy Together movement which gained attention through the Occupy Wall Street protest is spreading across the country. After the rally for reproductive choice on Saturday, stick around for Occupy Richmond which will meet at the same site.

In this issue:

• Threats to reproductive choice
• A teaching aid for the Affordable Care Act
• Special note for citizens in the 4th Congressional District
• A petition to get Americans back to work repairing our aging infrastructure
• White House conference calls regarding the American Jobs Act.
• Lots of opportunities for action in the calendar of events

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ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

Reproductive Choice
The results of this race will affect all Virginians' right to reproductive choice. Democratic Sen. Edd Houck of Spotsylvania is being relentlessly attacked by anti-abortion opposition. Read about the despicable tactics being used in the race, and look for the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood phone banks in the calendar of events.

Health Insurance Reform
Those of us who worked on the health insurance reform legislation for two years may find this interesting: A friend of mine from Arizona who also worked toward passage of the Affordable Care Act has been traveling her state educating people about the law. Her presentation video is an hour and 20 minutes long, but full of good information. I also have her power point presentation file. If you want to use it, contact Beth Kimbriel at actionupdate@me.com.

Attention 4th Congressional District citizens
Congressman Randy Forbes has a plan, he says, to eliminate “red tape” and expedite road construction projects..
What Congressman Forbes fails to reveal about his “414 Plan” bill is that

• It suspends regulations that require a minimum prevailing wage for highway construction workers (so we could put people back to work AT LOWER WAGES)
• It permanently repeals safety regulations for bicycle and pedestrian road projects and
• It permanently repeals funding for bicycle and pedestrian safety and access projects.

PETITIONS:
Work that Needs Doing
Go to the website and find your state. Sign the petition to get Americans back to work repairing our infrastructure. You can upload a photo of a project that needs work in your community, too.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The White House Office of Public Engagement is offering community conference calls regarding President Obama's American Jobs Act monthly through the end of the year in each state. The Virginia calls are scheduled at 11 a.m. on October 14, November 11 and December 9. RSVP to OPERSVP@who.eop.gov with your name, organization, city and state. Dial in at 800.230.1092.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Please submit your organization's events to ActionUpdate@me.com for consideration for inclusion.

For the activities calendar for Progressive Democrats of America, click here.

Saturday, October 15, 1 – 3 p.m.
Rally for Women's Health
Monroe Park
620 West Main Street
Richmond
Stand up with one pro-choice voice and demand our leaders end their war on Virginia women!

Saturday, October 15, 4 p.m.
Occupy Richmond
full General Assembly
in solidarity with Occupy Together movements across the country.
Be prepared to walk.
Monroe Park
620 West Main Street
Richmond
See Facebook page for details.

Saturday, October 15, 2 – 4 p.m.
Democratic Connections meeting
Speaker: Dr. Ernest McGowen, Assistant Professor U of R
Topic: The Tea Party
Home of Robin Crane
11212 Riverchase Drive
Henrico 23233
RSVP to 804.405.8303

Monday, October 17, 6:30 p.m.
Richmond Area Community Candidate Forum
The Gay Community Center of Richmond
1407 Sherwood Avenue
Richmond 23220
Greater Richmond area candidates for the General Assembly as well as candidates for upcoming elections in Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond have been invited.
For more information contact Roland at roland@mothersandothersva.org

Tuesday, October 18, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League for Planned Parenthood phone bank to support pro-choice candidate
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond 23221
Contact Courtney Jones 804.482.6132 or courtney.jones@ppfa.org

Wednesday, October 19, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Virginia League for Planned Parenthood phone bank to support pro-choice candidate
201 N. Hamilton Street
Richmond 23221
Contact Courtney Jones 804.482.6132 or courtney.jones@ppfa.org

Wednesday, October 19, 6 p.m.
Virginia Organizing Richmond Chapter meeting
UR Downtown
626 East Broad Street, Richmond
Street parking is available without fee at 6 p.m.
For more information contact Cathy Woodson at cwoodson@virginia-organizing.org or 804.683.1227

Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. AND Sunday, October 23, 3 p.m.
Canvassing to save the Virginia Senate
Houck Headquarters
10813 Courthouse Road, Suite 104
Fredericksburg 22408
Carpool are being arranged by Virginia League for Planned Parenthood
Contact Courtney Jones 804.482.6132 or courtney.jones@ppfa.org

Tuesday, October 25
Virginia New Majority Richmond Chapter meeting
time and location TBA
Contact Phaedra Jackson, pjackson@virginianewmajority.org or 804.614.243

A Grassroots Effort
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