Grieving and honoring Tyre Nichols
Tyre Nichols was a Black father and a youngest son, a photographer, a skateboarder, a lover of sunsets, and so much more. And he should be alive today, sharing his gifts and his dreams with the world.
Tyre Nichols was a Black father and a youngest son, a photographer, a skateboarder, a lover of sunsets, and so much more. And he should be alive today, sharing his gifts and his dreams with the world.
Contacts: Mia Schultz: mia@radvt.org | 520.221.0836Maggie Cawley: maggie@radvt.org | 802.683.8324 Attacks on efforts to advance … Read more
We are exhilarated that 48 of 55 RAD-endorsed candidates won their races in Vermont’s 2022 Primary Day elections! Vermont’s multiracial working class turned out to the polls, and it shows.
With Juneteenth this past weekend and Pride activities all month, we’ve been busy – and there’s more coming, as we turn out in solidarity, celebrate movement wins that have gotten us this far, and keep agitating for a just, liberatory future.
Like so many, we are reeling from the news of the past two weeks. As a community, RAD is comprised of many people who are all too familiar with the pain and terror of gun violence and racism in our country.
Like so many, we are reeling from the news of the past two weeks. As a community, RAD is comprised of many people who are all too familiar with the pain and terror of gun violence and racism in our country.
The five courageous activists – including RAD staff and leaders – who were arrested at the New Hampshire State House in summer 2021 protesting Governor Sununu’s deeply harmful budget, spoke truth to power as they entered their pleas in court on May 13th.
Spring at Rights & Democracy has been off to a moving start. In our calls, conversations, and meetings across the state, there is a palpable sense of energy and renewal.
As we enter this week, we are excited to see the momentum continuing for Vermont Renews priority bills. Last Wednesday, RAD joined “Lunch on the Lawn” at the State House, to say “yes” to free breakfast and lunch for all Vermont students.
Last week, we were happy to see more positive outcomes for RAD priority bills! These included a Senate vote to pass TWO RAD-supported bills related to healthcare and criminal justice reform.
Last week, a RAD-supported healthcare bill PASSED in the House! In the coming week, THREE priority healthcare bills will be heard, in the House Health and Senate Health Committees.
March was a huge month for Rights & Democracy, one of immense presence and power. Two weeks ago, I was in DC to stand alongside 10 powerful RAD leaders and Black women-led progressive organizations from across the country in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at the Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
March was a huge month for Rights & Democracy, one of immense presence and power. Two weeks ago, I was in DC to stand alongside 10 powerful RAD leaders and Black women-led progressive organizations from across the country in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at the Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
Last week, a RAD-supported healthcare access bill PASSED in the House! This week, two priority healthcare bills will be heard, in the House Health and House Finance Committees. Read on to learn how to take action!
This week, two RAD-supported healthcare access bills made huge advancements in the Senate and House! See Highlights from Last Week below for more information. In the coming week, two priority healthcare bills will be heard, one in the Senate Health Committee and one in a House floor vote. See Top Actions this Week to learn how you can voice your support!
This last week was a tough one, with the House Legislature passing bad bills including HB 1266, an anti-sanctuary bill, HB 1476, undoing bail reform, and HB 1393, relating to school district budget caps. The New Hampshire Legislature also decided to pass a resolution in support of Israel, even though they should not be taking on international issues. This resolution will now go to the Senate.
This week brought positive and negative developments, as bills came up for floor votes in the Senate on Thursday.
Thank you to everyone who supported online, through letters or in person last week when the House heard testimony on key bills to repeal divisive concepts. You can read about the hearing here. They did not vote on a recommendation for these bills yet so you can still write to the House Education committee and demand they support HB 1090 and HB 1576.
We hope you are not losing the passion to keep doing your part – your voice matters! We keep hearing from elected officials that the most effective way to influence the legislative process is to talk to your legislator.
With the onslaught of negative bills, we are glad to share that this week there are some really good bills you can support to advance immigrant rights, healthcare access, fair wages, and racial justice.
This week, two more bills related to divisive concepts will be heard; we are asking people to register their opposition online or go in person to testify.
All of our Vermont youth deserve culturally responsive and fact-based curricula, equitable access to educational resources, and a safe and supportive school environment.
Please sign on to this letter calling for the task force in charge to correct the pupil weighting formula used to distribute education funds to rural and low-income school districts in Vermont, rather than adopting categorical aid!