We’re writing to let you know about several upcoming opportunities to make your voice heard on water protections for West Virginia, the Trump administration’s separation of families, the next nominee to the US Supreme Court, and more. 

We also wanted to let you know about a special opportunity to support youth organizing in West Virginia this summer. 

Keep reading to learn more, then raise your voice and speak out on these important issues!

Yours for Action,

Team WV CAG

Keep West Virginia’s Waters Safe

WVDEP Needs to Hear from YOU on Water Protections by July 10

West Virginia’s Water Quality Standards are supposed to keep our water safe. Every three years the rules that govern what’s in West Virginia’s water undergo a revision process called the Triennial Review. West Virginia is in the midst of this process and WVDEP has released their proposed changes for public comment.

Speak Up Now! Share with WVDEP that you deserve safe water. Submit written comments on Water Quality Standards by July 10. View a fact sheet on the Triennial Review and full comments to WVDEP from our friends at the WV Rivers Coalition to learn more, then click here to send a letter.

You can also submit comments in person during a public hearing on Tuesday, July 10 at 6:00pm at the WVDEP headquarters in Charleston.

SCOTUS Town Hall – Thursday, July 12 at 10 AM

Former Delegate Clif Moore (D-McDowell) in conjunction with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is hosting a town hall meeting with representatives of Senators Manchin and Capito to discuss President Trump’s nominee to the US Supreme Court. Join us to discuss the significance of his pick, what’s at stake with the nomination, and the need to come together to defend and expand rights for all. 

What: Town Hall to Discuss Trump’s Nominee to the Supreme Court

When: 10AM, Thursday, July 12

Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston, WV

We’ll post more details on our events calendar as they become available. 

Families Belong Together Rally – Thursday, July 12 at 6PM

Donald Trump and his administration have separated thousands of children from their parents through his “zero-tolerance” policy. Federal judges have ordered the reunification of these families and have blocked Trump’s policy of arbitrarily detaining asylum seekers, but the work isn’t done yet. We must hold this administration accountable for their actions to ensure that these families are brought back together and that family incarceration does not become the replacement for family separation.

The ACLU-WV and partner organizations are holding a rally at the U.S. attorney’s office in Charleston this Thursday at 6PM. 

What: Families Belong Together Rally

When: 6-7PM, Thursday, July 12

Where: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse, 300 Virginia Street, Charleston

Come raise your voice and send a message to our U.S. attorneys and the Trump administration that all families belong together and the mass jailing of families is unacceptable.

Support Youth Organizing In West Virginia

West Virginia is undergoing a political transformation, and youth and educators are leading the charge.  Building on the wave of progressive energy in West Virginia, and leading up to the elections, WV-CAG is excited to join with Rise Up WV to support the Youth Organizing Fund to invest in our amazing young people to help them take their work to the next level.

This summer, the Youth Organizing Fund is providing paid Youth Organizer Fellowships to young Appalachian leaders (aged 16-25) to develop electoral campaigns around issues of concern in their communities, such as gun violence, incarceration, economic diversification and the opioid epidemic. The Fund will train and support Fellows to run a sequence of electoral activities (ie: an issue-based GOTV / voter registration drive, issue-based candidate forum, door-to-door canvassing) in their areas, provide them with opportunities to connect with other electoral campaigns and regional and national organizing efforts, and help them explore careers as tomorrow’s change makers.

Click here to learn more about this project and make a donation to help us support and coach young organizers to make 2018 a victory year for working families!

Save the Date – Opioid Town Hall Meeting July 26 

Moving Beyond Fear: Saving Lives and Protecting Neighbors During an Opioid Epidemic

Join us for a panel discussion and forum with public health experts to learn more about successful approaches from near and far that deal with the effects of opioids in our communities.

Featuring a special presentation by Susan Shepherd — Manager, Toronto Drug Strategy Secretariat

What: Opioid Town Hall Meeting: A Conversation to Drive Change

When: Thursday, July 26, 2018
* 6 pm – Free Community Dinner
* 7-8: 30 pm – Panel Discussion

Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV 

**This is a FREE event and open to the public. All kinds welcome and encouraged to
come!

Sponsored by: Cabin Creek Health Systems, WV Center on Budget and Policy, WV Council of Churches, Our Children Our Future, C.A.R.E. Coalition, WV Citizen Action Group, ACLU of West Virginia and Rise Up WV