By Tom Goodwin: Natasha McKenna died five years ago this past weekend, February 8, 2015 — naked, cold, frightened, shackled, muzzled, and black — after a rough afternoon at Fairfax County jail. The social and racial inequities that contributed to her…
Opinion: To avoid post-election hangover, support Joe Biden now
Editor’s Note: We welcome personal statements of support for Democratic presidential candidates. Here, a Joe Biden supporter make his case. By Marcus R. Motta: Nov 4, 2020, 6:00 A.M., I wake up groggy since I was up late the previous…
FCDC volunteer has taken a journey across time and space
By Susan Boggs: Some of you may know me from my Thursday morning shifts at the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. Others of you have handed out sample ballots and back-to-school-night literature with me. I’d like you to see my other…
FCDC opposes redistricting amendment
Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) has taken a position in the controversy over whether to go forward with a gerrymandering reform first passed when Republicans were in the majority in Richmond. After spirited debate at the monthly FCDC general membership…
Senior diplomat dismissed by Trump sees danger to US global interests
By Steve Aoki: The international reputation of the United States is at a post-World War II low, according to a former senior diplomat. But instead of passively complaining, Tom Countryman is doing something about it – working on voter registration…
FCDC gets new officers, changes Bylaws
By Karen Kirk: Several hundred Democrats turned out for the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) Reorganization Meeting Tuesday night and chose new leaders, revised bylaws and approved a resolution not to support a “flawed” Virginia redistricting plan. Virginia Attorney General…
Citizen control over Va. polluters gets reprieve
By Brad Swanson: Virginia’s citizen boards will retain control over pollution emitters for at least another year as a bill to transfer this authority to a state agency has been downgraded to require passage by two consecutive annual legislatures. In…
As Virginia passes ERA, new women’s suffrage museum opens
By Susan Laume: Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) announced Virginia’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) on Monday, Jan. 27. In her official statement, she said, “We stand today on the shoulders of the thousands of women —…
Keep citizens in control of environmental protection in Virginia
By Bob Burnley: A current bill in the Virginia House would seriously weaken environmental protection by transferring power from citizen boards to a state agency. This is a terrible idea. I should know — I am a former director of…
Lawmakers welcome 50+ Committee on day of advocacy for seniors
The 50+ Committee of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee spent a busy day in Richmond on Jan. 16 meeting with state lawmakers on issues that are key to seniors. Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-35), the Senate’s majority leader, recognized the group…
Why the Virginia gerrymandering amendment is fatally flawed
By Marcus R. Motta: Am I sick of Republican gerrymandering? Yes, and I am proud that I helped Democrats win control of both houses of the Virginia legislature last November. I wish I could have done more, like a lot…
Northern Virginia dominates legislature leadership
As the Virginia state legislature opened for business this week, Northern Virginia legislators scored more than half the standing committee chair positions – as well as providing the Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the House, and House Majority Leader. Senators…
Gun supporters disrupt Fairfax County legislator forum
Gun rights advocates interrupted speakers frequently with boos, shouts and chants as the Fairfax County state legislative delegation held its traditional public forum on Jan. 4, four days in advance of the opening of the General Assembly this Wednesday. Gun…
Providence Democrats elect new leadership team
Andrew Pavord and Saddam Azlan Salim have been elected co-chairs of Providence District Democratic Committee for 2020-21. Providence, like all Democratic committees in Fairfax County magisterial districts, is undergoing a biennial top to bottom reorganization, including election of new members…