At present our project teams meet collectively at the monthly action meeting. To join a project team, reach out to one of the team leaders or write to grassrootsalexandria@gmail.com. To hear about the action meeting, and other events, read or subscribe to our announcements.
Our Palestinian Human Rights project is gathering information, building a team, and advocating for change. We are raising awareness about Alexandria communities impacted by humanitarian crises. Virginia, where politics and the military strongly intersect, is uniquely involved in and affected by the national debate over Palestine.
Our Antifascist Response project monitors, records, and responds to local fascism.
Our ICE Out of Alexandria project continues to coordinate with Tenants and Workers United and the Legal Aid Justice Center to reduce the cooperation between the Alexandria Sheriff’s office and ICE, the federal agency that has deported so many of our neighbors. Deportation tears at the fabric of families and communities.
Our Restorative Practices project advocates for greater use of restorative practices (versus punitive measures, such as suspension) in the Alexandria City Public School system.
We also are part of a coalition, including the Legal Aid Justice Center and Tenants and Workers United. In this project, we are advocating for working-class affordable (30-40% AMI) housing in the Arlandria/Chirilagua neighborhood. We are also advocating for a successful “ready to rent” program to make sure that current residents of that neighborhood can access new affordable housing in that neighborhood.
We are also working with African Communities Together to strengthen tenant protections in the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Guide.
Our shared community goal is to achieve a safe, high-capacity, equitable transportation system that provides access to both joy and jobs.
Our Duke Street Transitway project team shares personal stories with City Council members, and with other decision makers, about the value and importance of the Duke Street Advisory Group’s recommended alternative: center-running bus lanes with separate spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.
Our Alexandria Transit Vision Plan project team Educate the public and city officials on the value and importance of high-frequency bus service in high-density neighborhoods. Robust transit, promised in the Alexandria Transit Vision Plan, is necessary to meet the city’s economic, equity and climate goals and objectives.
Our Zero Fare Bus Service team advocates for the continuation of Zero Fare DASH bus service for low-income residents. This program has been a step forward for public health and equity in Alexandria.
Our active projects are listed above. After accomplishing local victories in each case, our Environmental Stewardship, Healthcare, and LGBTQ project teams are not currently active.