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TAKE ACTION. Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting! Like previous months, we are asking that all attendees pre-register for the monthly meeting. You must register in advance for our monthly meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This meeting will be our last monthly meeting before the most important election of our lives! Please spread the word with anyone who is interested in supporting Democrats this election cycle. It is now or never, and we have lots of great ways to get involved! View the Agenda | Presentation Slides | Video

“It was done in the dark of night,” Mullholland said. Sunday, Oct. 4 2020, ARLINGTON, Va.—At least 30 election signs lawfully placed in public street medians by the Arlington County Democratic Committee encouraging citizens to vote in the Nov. 3 election and to support Democratic candidates, including presidential nominee Joe Biden and Virginia U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, were destroyed and vandalized overnight. The defacement follows the destruction of “Dump Trump” and pro-Biden signs on the lawn of civil rights icon Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, an Arlington native. Signs not specifically referencing the Democratic ticket were not disturbed. “The vandals are clearly targeting Democrats,” Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo said. Each election year, Arlington Dems put up signs in street medians 31 days before the contest, which is allowed under state and Arlington law. Last night, signs the organization placed on medians along Sycamore Street between Williamsburg Circle and Lee Highway, and on Little Falls Road at Lexington Street were either destroyed or vandalized. (Photos below. High-resolution versions available on request.) Presidential election signs destroyed on two major intersections in Arlington. Signs not specifically referencing the Democratic ticket were not disturbed. Source: Arlington County Democratic Committee “We always get a certain amount of vandalism, but the vandals are off to a fast and aggressive start this year,” Caiazzo wrote in an email to the Arlington Police Department reporting the crimes. At Little Falls Road, “It looks like someone actually drove onto the median in order to run over the signs,” Caiazzo reported. Arlington Dems understand the police department has more urgent issues to address, but wanted to document the destruction, she added. Campaign Signs on Lawn of Local Civil Rights Icon Destroyed “I had to staple it back together,” Mullholland said of a “Dump Trump” sign on her lawn that was pulled off its stand in the yard of her Barcroft home and ripped apart. Another sign supporting the Biden-Kamala Harris Democratic ticket was damaged beyond repair, she added. Arlington Democrats learned of the destruction when Mulholland contacted the organization to request new signs, which are back in front of her home. Mulholland 79, is an Arlington native known for taking part in sit-ins, being the first white person to integrate the historically Black Tougaloo College in Jackson Miss., and to become the first white member of the historically black Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She was held on death row in Mississippi’s notorious Parchman Penitentiary in 1961 for her civil rights activities. The National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C., includes a small exhibit about her. Joan Mulholland’s Jackson, Miss., 1961 mugshot. Source: Wikimedia Commons “It was done in the dark of night,” Mulholland said. “History repeats itself. Black Lives Matters is a grander reincarnation of the civil rights movement and Trump supporters are just the new version of Klan sympathizers. “It’s just a shame that it’s coming from the top,” Mulholland added, referring to Trump’s racist rhetoric. Arlington Democrats has replaced the signs and will continue to place them throughout Arlington. “We won’t be deterred by the illegal behavior of a few troublemakers,” Caiazzo said. "We call on Democratic voters in Arlington and across the country to stand up to these intimidation tactics by voting early in-person this week, wherever possible." The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) is the official county organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Arlington Dems is open to anyone interested in advancing Democratic candidates, policy priorities and values in Arlington and beyond. Learn more at the Arlington Democrats website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arlington Democrats voted overwhelmingly to oppose the Redistricting Amendment 1 at their meeting on August 5, 2020. In 2019, Arlington Democrats called for independent, nonpartisan redistricting, a process Arlington Democrats still support. But the process proposed in the amendment is neither independent nor nonpartisan. Adopting this amendment will not end gerrymandering as it leaves the Virginia Legislature in control of the redistricting process. Stop Gerrymandering and vote No on 1.

Right now, the administration is considering setting the refugee admissions goal for Fiscal Year 2021. Although refugees are the most vetted persons allowed to enter the U.S., some administration officials have proposed resettling zero refugees next year. Following FY2020's historically low goal of just 18,000, this would further decimate the bipartisan refugee resettlement program, violating our nation's commitment to welcome the most vulnerable refugees – as well as the call of all faith traditions to welcome the stranger and love our neighbors. A robust refugee program serves America’s national security interests and sets the example for us to ask other countries to assist refugees. By law, the administration must consult with Congress by the end of September, prior to setting the refugee admissions goal, which means Members of Congress can and must make their voices heard. It is critical that members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, who are in charge of consulting with the administration, hear us strongly condemn a low admissions goal and join with former Vice President Joe Biden in calling for a robust refugee admissions goal of 125,000 in FY2021. How you can help refugees now Tell Congress to Hold the Administration Accountable to Setting and Meeting a Robust Refugee Admissions Goal Volunteer to Welcome and Assist Refugees in Your Community Continue to Learn About the Global Refugee Crisis and Refugee Resettlement in the United States Call House and Senate Judiciary Committee Members Today! *Please call the Senators and Representatives Sample Script: “I’m your constituent from , and I urge you to protect the refugee resettlement program from another drastic cut by the administration. The administration is considering setting the refugee admissions goal for next year at ZERO. By law, the administration must consult with Congress prior to setting the refugee admissions goal, which means that as a member of the Judiciary Committee, you are uniquely poised to ensure that the administration fulfills its obligation to consult with Congress ahead of deciding how many refugees to welcome in FY20. Please do everything in your power to see that the administration commits to resettling at least 95,000 refugees in 2020. My community welcomes refugees, and I urge you to reflect the best of our nation by supporting refugee resettlement." Tweet at Members of Congress Share Your Message on Social Media! Please tweet at the Senate and House Judiciary Committee Members. Here are sample posts: <@memberofcongress>: America must remain a country of welcome. Please do your part to see that the administration commits to resettling 95,000 refugees in FY 2020. #RefugeesWelcome <@memberofcongress>: Refugee resettlement is a core American legacy that allows people to rebuild their lives. My community welcomes refugees, and I urge you to reflect the best of our nation by supporting refugee resettlement. #RefugeesWelcome <@memberofcongress>: Thousands of refugee families are being torn apart because America has closed its doors to them. Please show your support for refugee resettlement. #RefugeesWelcome

Whereas disabled veterans have paid a heavy price for their service to the United States; Whereas the public at large has benefited greatly from the service of these veterans; Whereas these veterans are often not adequately compensated for their service; Whereas the Virginia Personal Property Tax on vehicles can pose a hardship for disabled veterans; Whereas exempting disabled veterans from paying the tax on one vehicle would not substantially affect the state’s revenues; Whereas appearing on the November 3, 2020, ballot will be a proposed amendment to the state’s tax laws exempting veterans with a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability from state and local property taxes on one automobile or pickup truck; therefore be it Resolved, that the Arlington County Democratic Committee hereby supports passage of the amendment to Virginia’s tax laws that would exempt disabled veterans meeting the eligibility requirements from the obligation to pay Virginia’s Motor Vehicle Tax on one automobile or pickup truck. Passed and Approved on the second day of September, 2020.

Whereas Arlington County has critical infrastructure needs, including both maintenance necessary to preserve existing infrastructure and capital improvements required to foster the County’s growth; Whereas to meet these needs, the Arlington County Board has approved five ballot referenda to be voted on in the November 3, 2020, election, each intended to address a separate category of infrastructure; Whereas now is an excellent time to borrow in order to fund important needs, as interest rates are low and unemployment is high; Whereas the proposed bonds are consistent with the County’s debt and financial policies, aimed at preserving the County’s triple-AAA bond ratings; Whereas the first bond referendum seeks the voters’ approval for issuance of up to $29.94 million in transportation bonds to fund Metro capital improvements, resurfacing of Arlington streets, and bridge maintenance, renovation, and replacement; Whereas the second bond referendum seeks the voters’ approval for issuance of up to $3.630 million in parks and recreation bonds to fund maintenance and improvement of local parks and county recreational programs; Whereas the third bond referendum seeks the voters’ approval for issuance of up to $7.485 million in community infrastructure bonds to fund maintenance of county facilities, fire station renovations, and capital improvements at the County Courthouse complex; Whereas the fourth bond referendum seeks the voters’ approval for issuance of up to $52.650 million in educational bonds to fund design work to meet projected 10-year seat needs, as well as to fund maintenance and capital projects at Arlington schools, including remodeling and improvements at Arlington Traditional School, Key Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Williamsburg Middle School, and Wakefield High School; Whereas the fifth bond referendum seeks the voters’ approval for issuance of up to $50.840 million to fund bonds for stormwater capacity improvements, water quality improvements, and other projects. The need for improvements in the county’s infrastructure for handling stormwater was demonstrated by the extensive damage caused by a storm in July 2019. The County has developed a 10-year plan for addressing that problem. The first year of the plan would be funded in part by these proposed bonds; therefore be it Resolved, that the Arlington County Democratic Committee hereby supports passage of these five bond referenda. Passed and Approved on the second day of September, 2020.

Davis to Receive Committee’s Annual “Senior Dem” Award at Virtual Event Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, ARLINGTON, Va.—Democratic Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell tonight will join the Arlington County Democratic Committee at its annual "Honor a Senior Dem" event, this year recognizing Sharon Davis, a former Arlington Democrats Chair, longtime Capitol Hill staffer and county political activist. The event will be emceed by state Sen. Barbara Favola. Davis was a longtime aide to Debbie Dingell’s late spouse, U.S. Rep. John Dingell. She left Capitol Hill in 2011 after a 36-year tenure, but returned in 2019 as chief clerk of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, where she had worked with John Dingell, who retired in 2014 after a 59-year tenure, making him the longest-serving member in Congressional history. The evening also will feature Virginia Congressman Don Beyer, Arlington County Board Member Libby Garvey, and Democratic Arlington School Board candidates Cristina-Diaz Torres and David Priddy, all of whom are on the Nov. 3 ballot. Tickets for the event are still available at arldemsold.local/goldcard. Attendance is $75 per person, with proceeds funding Arlington Democrats’ work to elect Democrats throughout the county, commonwealth and country. News media are invited as guests; please email pr@arldemsold.local for access. WHAT: Arlington Democrats Honor Longtime Capitol Hill Staffer and Democratic Activist Sharon Davis WHEN: TONIGHT, Sept. 26, 2020, 5-7 PM EDT WHERE: Virtual (Link to the Zoom video platform will be emailed upon registration). Details are available at: http://arldemsold.local/goldcard/. About Sharon Davis Davis knew what her future professional life would be as she watched the Watergate hearings as a 22 year-old. “My dream—when I was watching them on TV they showed the big Senate room—I saw these people passing out things to the members,” Davis told Politico in 2011. “I wanted to be one of those people passing out those papers.” After graduating college, she was hired on Capitol Hill in 1975. After an eight-year break beginning in 2011, she returned in January 2019 as chief clerk of the committee, the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Davis served as the chair of Arlington Democrats from 1981-85, and on scores of governmental and committee boards and committees. She is the spouse of former County Board member and state Delegate Albert Eisenberg. About Debbie Dingell Debbie Dingell has represented Michigan’s diverse 12th District, just outside of Detroit, since 2018. Known for her often independent stance and fierce representation of the manufacturing industry and its workers who fill her district, Debbie Dingell was most recently in the national news after she voted to impeach President Donald Trump in late 2019, and he subsequently suggested at a political rally that John Dingell may be in hell. She’s since faced harassment, including being spat on and having a man waiting for her in her driveway one night to tell her she would be joining her husband in hell. “It’s gotten worse since Trump came after me,” she told The New York Times earlier this year.

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, ARLINGTON, Va.—Arlington Democrats will host a virtual Labor Day celebration Sept. 7 in honor of the labor movement and hard-working Americans throughout Arlington who have supported the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arlington Democrats Virtual Labor Day BBQ—including real-time, online remarks by Arlington elected officials and candidates, including Sen. Mark Warner and Congressman Don Beyer—is one of four virtual “Gold Card” fundraising events scheduled between now and Nov. 3 that will raise money to support Arlington Democrats’ GOTV efforts. “In response to COVID-19, the Arlington Democrats have adapted our general election strategy to support best public health practices, all while achieving the critical work to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and down-ballot Democrats in November,” said Jill Caiazzo, Chair of the Arlington Democrats. “This is an ‘all-of-the-above’ election year as we fight for the soul of America. Arlington Democrats are full-steam ahead with virtual and public health-conscious, in-person organizing efforts this fall.” Tickets for the Virtual Labor Day BBQ are still available at arldemsold.local/goldcard. The Arlington Democrats' website also includes information about early voting, other key election logistics, and volunteer opportunities. WHAT: Arlington Democrats Virtual Labor Day BBQ WHEN: Monday, Sept. 7, 1-3 p.m. EST WHERE: Online. Details about purchasing the four-event Gold Card (best value) or tickets to individual events are at: http://arldemsold.local/donate/goldcard/. Members of the press are invited as guests; please email pr@arldemsold.local for information. WHO: (speakers) U.S. Sen. Mark Warner U.S. Rep. Don Beyer DNC Vice-Chair Michael Blake Virginia state Del. Jennifer Carroll-Foy Virginia state Del. Elizabeth Guzman Virginia state Del. Delegate Joshua Cole Virginia state Del. Delegate Jay Jones Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey Arlington School Board Candidate Cristina Diaz-Torres Arlington School Board Candidate David Priddy

TAKE ACTION. Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting! This meeting will focus on volunteer activities and what YOU can do for the most important election of our lives! Create change in your community. Get involved with Arlington Dems today! View the Agenda | Event Details | Watch the Meeting

TAKE ACTION. Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting which will be held online on August 5th. Each meeting features an overview of volunteer opportunities and upcoming events, as well as great speakers and activities! Create change in your community. Get involved with Arlington Dems today! View the Agenda | Presentation | Video

Facebook Live event comes in advance of special legislative session to consider legislation to address police brutality and other criminal justice and civil rights issues Tuesday, July 21, 2020, ARLINGTON, Va.— The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) and Arlington Young Democrats will host a Facebook Live forum at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 23, in advance of a special session of the General Assembly set to begin Aug. 18 that will largely be devoted to criminal justice reform. The Democratically controlled General Assembly has proposed a slate of measures to ensure police reform and tackle aspects of systemic racism in the criminal justice system. Forum attendees will learn about the possible reform proposals and how they can help advocate for change. Moderated by DNC member Atima Omara, panelists will include: State Sen. Barbara Favola, D-31st State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-9th House of Delegates Majority Leader Delegate Charniele Herring, D-46th Delegate Patrick Hope, D-47th Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, Commonwealth's Attorney for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church Lauren Brice, Senior Assistant Public Defender for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church “The horrendous deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and others at the hands of police officers, as well as the disproportionate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color, have spurred nationwide reflection and reckoning,” Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo said. “Here in Virginia, it is important that the General Assembly make good on its commitment to police and criminal justice reform. We look forward to hosting this forum to inform all Virginians about proposed reforms and what they can do to support passage of needed legislation.” The event will be livestreamed on Facebook and pinned to the top of the Arlington Young Democrats Facebook page. A recording also will be posted to the Arlington Democrats YouTube channel after the forum, and will be available on both organizations’ websites, and social media accounts. “Arlington Young Democrats is pleased to play an important role in informing the public about reform efforts the General Assembly will tackle to address police brutality and other criminal justice and civil rights inequities in the commonwealth,” AYD President Dan Matthews said. “We join with Arlington Democrats in stating unequivocally that Black Lives Matter, and we urge our elected officials to take the action necessary to address these wrongs.” Policing initiatives are expected to include measures aimed at police accountability and oversight, use of force, increased training and education, and officer recruitment, hiring, and decertification, according to a statement released by Gov. Ralph Northam’s office Friday calling the special session.

WHEREAS public trust in law-enforcement practices has been eroded in recent years by video footage of egregious police misconduct in various cities around the country; WHEREAS the wearing of body cameras by law-enforcement personnel is a means of creating a record of police conduct for later review, as needed; and WHEREAS the wearing of body cameras by effective and humane law-enforcement personnel is a means of improving the public’s understanding of how, when, and why these police use force, thereby potentially increasing the public’s trust in its law-enforcement personnel; and WHEREAS the Arlington County Police Department has for several years unsuccessfully sought funding for improved and more comprehensive body-camera equipment; WHEREAS the Arlington County Manager is now seeking approval from the County Board to spend $1.05 million on body cameras and related equipment for the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, and Arlington County Fire Marshals; and WHEREAS the Arlington County Board is scheduled to vote on the County Manager’s request in July 2020; and WHEREAS the Arlington County Democratic Committee believes strongly in transparency and accountability in policing; therefore, be it Resolved, that the Arlington County Democratic Committee supports approval by the Arlington County Board of the County Manager’s request to fund adoption of a comprehensive body-camera system to support the County’s law enforcement personnel. Passed and Approved on this 1st day of July, 2020.