House Kills Bill That Would Provide Necessary Relief to Essential Workers
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE: February 3, 2023 Student Day of Action
VICPP Prepares to Welcome 200 Students for its Third Annual Student Day of Action 2023
Students from all over the Commonwealth will arrive in Richmond Thursday evening 2/2 to advocate policies reflecting the spiritual and ethical values of young Virginians.
First keynote speech by Dr. Terri Erwin: 2023 is the Year of the Young Voter.
Students will learn why civic engagement is crucial, and how easy it is to start.
Participants convene Friday morning 2/3 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 8 am.
Will march to Capitol and meet with their legislators for meetings pre-arranged by VICPP.
Student Day of Action program includes workshops on issues of interest to students, which are also VICPP’s priorities for the current legislative session.
Panelists include affected community members and subject matter experts.
Richmond, Va – As part of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy’s (VICPP’s) ongoing civic engagement campaign, VICPP will be hosting its third annual “Student Day of Action” this Friday, February 3, 2023.
Students from all over the Commonwealth will travel to Richmond, VA to meet with their legislators, attend comprehensive workshops about hot topic issues in Virginia that are of particular interest to students, and ultimately learn new advocacy skills that will prepare them to help create change in the future. VICPP advocates legislation that will minimize the barbaric practice of solitary confinement, end prison profiteering, fund affordable housing, increase tenant protections, end the alarmingly high numbers of preventable pregnancy-related deaths of Black women and babies, and create a standard for paid sick days, among other issues. The organization seeks to bring students to the General Assembly from all faith backgrounds, including students who may not have any particular faith affiliation.
Out-of-town students will begin to arrive at the Seven Hills Youth Hostel on Thursday evening to have dinner with legislators and friends from ally organizations. Afterward, students will attend an Advocacy 101 session to learn how to visit with their legislators, how to talk about issues they care about, and what to expect when they get to the General Assembly. They will finish the night with a screening of the documentary film Aftershock, which details the ongoing issue of Black maternal mortality.
Official Student Day of Action activities kick off early Friday morning at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a short walk from the Pocahontas Building, where the General Assembly meets. Students will walk to the legislative offices to attend meetings with their Senators and Delegates which have been scheduled in advance by VICPP staff. Students will be able to discuss pressing issues that affect all Virginians, with the very decision-makers who can help or hinder change.
Students will return to St. Paul’s to debrief and reflect upon what will have been for many their first experiences with legislators. Did they feel heard, valued, welcome? Do they understand the significance and impact of their vote? How will they follow up? And much more.
In the afternoon, several workshops will be offered. Students can choose those that interest them the most to personalize their agenda. Topics covered include higher education in prison, environmental justice, public health disparities: maternal mortality, worker justice, filmmaking for justice, taxpayer-funded torture: solitary confinement in Virginia, and graduate programs in social change.
The program ends at 3 p.m.
VICPP considers it the responsibility of the generations that are in charge now to help equip younger generations with the proper tools to advocate justice and equity in the future. 2023 is a very important election year. Today’s youth are the future. They must recognize their power and know how to wield it for good, and we must help them.
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RESOURCES:
Student Day of Action event info page
VICPP’s 2023 Legislative Priorities One-Pager
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, racial, and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action. VICPP is a non-partisan coalition of 750 faith communities working for a more just society.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ayesha Taylor
Director of Communications
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
804.719.1218
ayeshaGT@virginiainterfaithcenter.org