Waynesboro Virginia Organizing

09/15/2026

Last Saturday, our chapter and Waynesboro Branch Naacp rallied for equity for all!

We registered voters, heard from speakers like directly impacted by the marriage equality and restoration of rights amendment, and handed out information on the upcoming 3!

If you or someone you know has a felony conviction and aren’t sure if you can vote in the upcoming election, please contact our chapter organizer at [email protected] or 434-226-0426 to check out the link in our stories to check your status.

No matter who you are, we all deserve the same rights and opportunities.

Spread the word, vote early, and help make history in VA! 🗳️🏳️‍🌈⚖️

09/13/2026

Starting June 1, 2026, Virginia may no longer deny the right to vote to all people convicted of felonies; instead, only those with certain felony convictions lose the right to vote. This means that tens of thousands of Virginians who have been previously told that they cannot vote because of a felony can now register and vote for the 2026 elections. You can even register and vote even if you're currently awaiting trial but not yet convicted!

Learn more about what offenses might disqualify you here:
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/felony-convictions-and-voter-eligibility/

Check your voting status here: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/Lookup/status

Register to vote here:
https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/Registration/DmvLookup

The court order can be found here:https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.539619/gov.uscourts.vaed.539619.223.0.pdf

And learn more about the upcoming restoration of rights amendment here:https://www.elections.virginia.gov/media/electionadministration/electionlaw/11-3-26-Special-Explanation-for-Q3-Voting.pdf

Please spread the word, help your friends register to vote and encourage them to vote early!

07/26/2026

A snapshot of one our guest speakers, Uhuru Rowe, from yesterday’s rally! 📣☀️

“People who have been punished, who have been pushed to the margins do not have to remain politically powerless.

When we combine lived experience with organization, strategy, and collective action we can enter the places where decisions are made and force our issues onto the agenda.”

If you or someone you know have a felony conviction, there’s a chance your rights were restored earlier this year without you knowing.

Reach out to check your restoration status and learn how you can join others sharing their story and taking collective action statewide.

Together we can make sure that everyone’s voice is heard this November! 🗳️💥

07/23/2026

Yesterday, we rallied alongside allies and partners in front of the Capitol Bell Tower to oppose NextEra Energy's proposed $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy.

You can check out coverage of the press conference here:
https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/virginians-demand-officials-reject-proposed-billion-dollar-merger-between-dominion-and-nextera/

A rally at the State Capitol on July 20 brought together residents, Virginia lawmakers and other advocacy groups who are demanding Virginia officials reject a proposed merger between Dominion Energ…

07/23/2026

Right now, Congress has bipartisan bills on price transparency and drug costs that could deliver real relief. That’s why we’re demanding !

Take action: https://ow.ly/aJA550Zp4fU

07/23/2026

The Waynesboro chapter of Virginia Organizing, NAACP’s Waynesboro Branch, and League of Women Voter’s SAW chapter are hosting a rally to commemorate the anniversary of civil rights leader John Lewis’s death this Saturday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at Constitution Park in Waynesboro.

The action will highlight the implications of the recently gutted Voting Rights Act, discuss the impact of Virginia's current felony disenfranchisement provision, and educate the community on how they can take action to address voter disenfranchisement happening in Virginia.

Speakers will include Sheba Williams of Nolef Turns, Inc. and Uhuru Rowe of the Waynesboro chapter. sharing about their personal experiences navigating felony disenfranchisement and why getting involved in local civic engagement matters to them.

Voter registrations and restoration of rights assistance will be available at the rally. Other accommodations available upon request.

For more information, please contact Nora Scott at [email protected] or 434-226-0426.

07/04/2026

Know Your Rights: Title IX Workshop
Date: Friday July 17, 2026
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: 600 S Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA 22980, Meeting Room A

Learn what your rights are under Virginia's current Title IX law. This 2 hour workshop will cover what Title IX is, how the state defines gender or sex-based harassment, and how to file a complaint after something happens.

The workshop will consist of a powerpoint presentation, a Q&A, and a community discussion afterwards. Please reach out over DM directly to register so we can get a head count for refreshments. If you would like to support the event and volunteer, please reach out over DM directly.

Accommodations, such as transportation or interpretation available upon request.

03/31/2026

We're still at it! Building people power to make real change in Waynesboro.

Here are some highlights from this March:

We organized a Community Listening Session with community leaders from Staunton and Waynesboro to highlight the impact federal funding cuts have on our representative's state budget proposals.

We organized a press conference to highlight Waynesboro City Council's proposal to cap the funding they provide to local schools.

We came out to speak at public comment, gathered petition signatures and met with decision makers for our Anti-Bias campaign and canvassed.

If you want to get involved in local grassroots organizing, email our chapter organizer at [email protected]

03/13/2026

Waynesboro Virginia Organizing and Waynesboro Education Association held a press conference March 9, 2026 in front of Waynesboro City Council chambers to respond to Waynesboro's city councils proposal to change their funding agreement that has been in place for 20 years.

Throughout the press conference, parents, educators, and concerned citizens warned that changes to the funding formula would drastically reduce resources for programs and specialized positions that support struggling students.

You can read more about the proposal and city council's response here.

https://www.wmra.org/2026-03-12/proposal-to-change-how-waynesboro-funds-public-schools-draws-opposition

https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2026/03/12/teachers-parents-urge-waynesboro-to-keep-school-funding-formula/89099532007/?utm_source=the-news-leader-at-staunton-daily-briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailybriefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=psta-e-nletter65

If you would like to find out how you can get involved, please contact Nora at [email protected].

03/05/2026