FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025
“Supporting Immigrant Families and Communities"
We are dancing in the room Friday to Sweet Honey In The Rock’s® song “ARE WE A NATION?" It is a question we are all asking right now in the face of the harsh and un-American laws to deport people without due process or humanity. What kind of nation are we? Sweet Honey’s lyrics encourage us to reflect on how we must stand against hatred, ignorance, and prejudice.
The recent flurry of executive orders, along with the Trump Administration's passage of the Laken Riley Act, has resulted in fear and anxiety in our communities. We are witnessing daily attacks in our neighborhoods and workplaces across the nation. This week, we will focus on the impacts and the actionable steps we can take.
On Friday, we will talk about supporting and protecting our immigrant families and the actions we can take to help protect them with Rohmah Javed, Legal Director at the Immigrant Justice Program, and Patricia Bracknell, President of Hamptons Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
BONUS GUEST SPEAKER ➡️ Folks, we have a coup on our hands, so let’s bring in U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan for a special report on the federal government purge, from the FBI to USAID, and the illegal capture of the U.S. Treasury by Musk and his DOGE boys. Congresswoman McClellan will update us on what is happening and how we can fight back.
🎉 SPOTLIGHT: We will also celebrate Black History Month.
Finale and Katherine chat about the show this week - watch below:
WE CARE ABOUT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
FEBRUARY 7 at Noon ET: Guest Lineup
U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan is a badass. She is showing up for Virginia, her district, and her country. Her family’s personal stories of facing racial injustice and discrimination, especially her dad’s poll tax card under Jim Crow, inform her on what the fight is about today. She stated: “This is why I fight so hard to protect and expand voting rights.”
In light of Black History Month, we will highlight voting rights and the labor movement. We will ask Jennifer about The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act that will come in front of the U.S. House next week. This bill will disenfranchise millions of citizens. It is a modern-day poll tax.
❤️ McClellan started the Valentine’s for Veterans in her district his year: “I’m excited to launch the 2025 Valentines for Veterans Program to give back to veterans in our communities and spread a little holiday cheer.”
NEXT UP: We will learn about supporting immigrant families and communities.
Rohmah Javed, Legal Director, Immigrant Justice Program
Rohmah Javed from Legal Aid Justice Center will talk about what’s going on in Virginia right now, including some recent arrests and ICE activities. She will share LAJC’s priorities for serving individuals who are being detained and its legal strategies to make an impact in Virginia. Rohmah will also offer some tips and real actions we can take as suggested by LAJC’s Rapid Response Toolkit. We can make a difference.
Patricia Bracknell, President of Hamptons Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Patricia has advocated for local families and communities, helping them fight discriminatory practices and injustices in Hampton Roads, She will discuss what her members are experiencing in the face of increased ICE activities and potential deportations.
President Donald Trump’s push for mass immigration reform now allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement in sensitive zones like churches and schools.
As a community advocate, Patricia speaks to the press to highlight concerns that her community is reporting. After the recent reporting of ICE entering places of work, communities are experiencing stress, especially children. Bracknell said this is a heavy time for a lot of families right now.
“Latino kids are experiencing a lot of hate crimes. It doesn’t matter their status but is generalized through the narrative that is being put out through the big government.”
Finale Norton - Black History Spotlight
This year's Black History Month theme, ‘African Americans and Labor’, was developed by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Finale Norton will take it to its viral moment during the 2024 election which she calls the evolution of “The Black Job”.
The story of African Americans' “Black Job” done without pay or humanity to the “Black Job” of leading the free world.
CONTINUE TO SHINE THE LIGHT ON INJUSTICE by Denis Orsinger
Denis Orsinger, Friday Power Lunch team member and leader of Viva Resistance at Virginia Grassroots Coalition, reminds us that we are a nation of good people who do care. While many felt Democrats were not doing enough, we knew it was up to us to show up. Share your videos and photographs on social media to increase awareness.
Not registered yet? Click here to register to get into the room!
See you Friday!
Katherine, Carrie, and Finale
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