An estimated 300 protesters showed up Tuesday evening, Aug. 5, to protest gun violence — and especially last weekend’s devastating attacks in El Paso and Dayton — at the headquarters of the NRA in Fairfax. There was a candle lighting ceremony and the names and ages of the victims were read by different speakers for El Paso and Dayton, followed…
By Brad Swanson: One week after disrupting a speech by Pres. Trump, although the headlines have faded from national news media, Ibraheem Samirah feels vindicated – and ready for more action. In an interview with The Blue View, the Virginia state delegate (D- 86) acknowledged criticism of his protest, from some Democrats as well as Republicans, but insisted that “most…
By Todd Smyth: We know how to solve epidemic gun violence. Every other developed country has solved this problem. Republicans won’t allow it in America. We know how to get better healthcare that covers everyone. Every other developed country spends half as much, with better results. Republicans won’t allow it in America. We know how to solve catastrophic climate change.…
By Brandon Thurner: In today’s heated political atmosphere, Americans need to learn from successful married couples how to “fight in a way to preserve the union,” and to avoid demonizing each other. This message was delivered by prominent sociologist and former White House Advisor Amitai Etzioni at a recent northern Virginia seminar. Dr. Etizioni, former president of the American Sociological…
By Paul Davis: Four young Democrats from Fairfax County were recently elected members of issues caucuses at the national level. The elections took place at the 2019 Young Democrats of America convention on July 16-22 in Indianapolis, Ind. The Fairfax Young Democrats elected are: Bo Cherif, Black Caucus Dan Rosenberg and Denver Supinger, Jewish Caucus Jessica Sun, Disabilities Caucus The…
By Todd Thurwachter: Early voting is a key tool in increasing Democratic voter turnout — just ask Dr. Ibraheem Samirah. In Samirah’s successful race for state delegate in a special election on Feb. 19, early voting shot up 335% in Herndon compared to the special election just a month earlier for state senator, whose district included those same Herndon precincts.…
By Jerry Poje: Fairfax County’s future is on the line. As we saw in part I of this series, high housing costs are forcing lower income families, young adults and seniors to migrate out of our region. This cripples our diversity, clogs roadways and explodes our regional carbon footprint. But something can be done, and is being done, to address…
By Susan Laume: A day that began with hope quickly ended in anger and frustration as Republican state legislators in Richmond abruptly shut down a special session on gun violence less than 90 minutes after it began on Tuesday, July 9. Democratic legislators were shocked when Republicans used their small majorities in both the state House and Senate to adjourn…
By Susan Laume: On the eve of a special state legislative session on gun violence, a roundtable in Leesburg hosted by state Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D- 33) on July 7 revealed the deep divide among the public on this critical issue – and the high personal cost of unrestricted gun use. Boysko hosted the event at the Rust Library to…
By Jerry Poje: Part 1 of a series on affordable housing. Coming soon, Part 2: Meeting the challenge. Affordable housing topped the list of issues among the Democratic candidates for Fairfax County Board of Supervisor chair in last month’s primary election, but easing the 31,000 unit gap in low-rent units will be a challenge. It is a challenge we must…
By Lola Quintela: Drummers, a parade, and rousing speeches gave last weekend’s northern Virginia Women’s Summit a charge of excitement while breakout sessions allowed participants to dive deep into important issues at the sold-out event. Northern Virginia lawmakers at both federal and state levels energized the estimated 1,000 participants at the 3-day event, June 28-30, and strategized on the campaign…
By Bill Edgin: Growing up in Tomball, TX, I knew I was gay by the time I entered high school. But I also knew to bury this secret deep and never tell anyone, as I had been taught from an early age that being gay was a sin in the eyes of God. I lived in constant fear I would…
By Brad Swanson: The recent Supreme Court decision allowing Virginia legislative elections to go ahead this year under a map drawn by a court-appointed expert doesn’t solve the problem of gerrymandering. Only a state Constitutional amendment taking district-drawing power away from a partisan legislature can do it. That is the view of OneVirginia2021, a non-partisan group dedicated to fair redistricting.…
Now that the Democratic primary is over, Fairfax County Democrats are seeking to unite the party behind winning candidates in the runup to the Nov. 5 general election. Hunter Mill District Democratic Committee was first off the mark, holding its Unity Event on June 12, a mere 24 hours after polls closed. Seven candidates for state and local office, including…