These issues are what we focus on at all levels of government. 

1. Health Care Access
   Women’s Reproductive Rights
   Medicare
   Affordable Care Act
   Addiction Epidemic
   Compromised Food Supply
   
   
2. Environmental Stewardship
   Climate Change
   Sea Level Rise
   Chesapeake Bay Health
   Renewable Energy
   Corporate Agriculture
   
   
3. Fair Representation & Elections
   Redistricting Reform
   Voting Rights & Access
   "Get out the Vote” Efforts
   
   
4. Public Education & Civic Engagement
   Freedom of Speech & Press
   School Funding & Performance Measures
   Art & Humanities Funding
   Civic & Science Literacy
   
   
5. Diversity & Equal Dignity
   Muslim Ban/Registry
   Black Lives Matter
   LGBTQ
   Border Wall
   
   
6. Economic Justice
   Living Wage
   Unions
   Social Safety Net
   Community Safety & Revitalization
   
   
7. #NotNormal
   Peculiar Trump Behavior
   Corrupt/Unqualified Cabinet Members
   Hostility Toward the Press
   Twitter Rants
   Empowering the Alt Right
   Conflict of Interest

Suggested actions this week

1. Listen. Author Crystal Fleming will discuss why Americans of all ethnic backgrounds tend to be ignorant about matters of race in a presentation at Virginia Wesleyan's Boyd Dining Hall on April 23rd from 7-8PM. Come hear her speak about her forthcoming book, How to Be Less Stupid About Race: The Essential Guide to Confronting White Supremacy.
   
   
2. RSVP. Over 350,000 people have agreed to take immediate action if Trump fires either Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. If you haven't done so, RSVP to one of the two events scheduled in Hampton Roads. By doing so, you will get notified on planned protests and responses immediately. Also, House Representatives are working on bipartisan legislation to protect Mueller from being fired by Trump. Support H.R.5505 by calling 844-241-1141.
   
   
3. Call. Trump has dangerously escalated the situation in Syria by ordering a missile strike without congressional authorization, without explanation of his legal justification, and with no apparent strategy for what happens next. Find more information about who to call and suggested script here.
   
   
4. Volunteer. Sign up to register new voters at Virginia Beach High Schools 4/23 - 5/4 from 10:30AM - 1:00PM. There will be at least 2 volunteers at each location and 1 of those volunteers will need to be certified. Most of us completed the certification online. If you haven't, it's super easy and can be done here. To volunteer, email Carolyn Caywood at cacaywood@cox.net to be added to the schedule.
   
   
5. Celebrate. Grab your kids, a friend, or just yourself and give the Earth some love this weekend in honor of Earth Day. Here's a list of several events in Hampton Roads. Norfolk has several cleanup opportunities here.

Report for America

The crisis in journalism has become a crisis for our democracy.

Report for America is calling on a new generation of journalists to serve in community news organizations across the country.

Their mission is to strengthen journalism, enrich communities, empower citizens and restore trust in media by developing and sustaining a new wave of journalists to serve local news organizations in under-covered corners of America.

Emerging journalists are selected by Report for America based on their skill, character and commitment to public service journalism. These RFA corps members begin their journey with intensive training and workshops to prepare them for the year ahead. Local news organizations apply to host corps members in their newsrooms and deploy them to do critically important local journalism.

Want to help save democracy?

Put $7 here