| Dear friends and citizens, The Board of The Virginia Council during this season of gratitude, grace and giving would like to again thank you for your support, in time and treasure, to our organization. In unity there is strength of purpose, and we need to keep that in mind as the forces sweeping into the state capitol prepare to threaten our time-tested basic institutions of government and personal rights. Representative democracy has many channels to influence our government, as well as checks and balances, but only if we, the people will exercise our rights and speak up to those in power. We'll be training a close eye on the new administration and keeping you informed. And it is up to you to take action when you feel your rights are being abused: whether by calling or emailing elected officials, showing up at Senate or Assembly hearings, visiting your representatives' offices to petition directly, getting involved on local school boards, and speaking up to friends and relatives for what you believe in. The Virginia Council intends to help rally those of us who still believe that the high principles that were the basis of our Commonwealth and country, formed by the lives and ideals of our founders, are worth celebrating with pride upon the occasion of our 250th anniversary of independence. We are planning exciting speakers for The Virginia Forum series, inciteful presenters for our bi-monthly meetings, and fun special events that commemorate our state and the outsized influence of our founders. The fellowship of a shared purpose can inspire us all. Our first meeting in 2026 will be on January 14th at a new time and location: 5:30 pm at the Grapevine Restaurant. The presenters will discuss their book, ‘Patrick Henry’s Redhill'. Sign up here. We hope to see you there to learn more about the life of the founder who spoke the words that lit the fuse of rebellion, “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” Sincerely,  Will McGurn Interim President, The Virginia Council  Buffet dinner begins at 5:30 PM. Can’t make dinner? Join us for the speakers and book signing at 6:15 PM. Space is limited—please RSVP to save your seat. Optional buffet dinner includes an appetizer, 3 entrees, rolls, dessert and soft drink for $32.50 which includes tax and gratuity. Bar vouchers will be available for purchase at check-in. Please RSVP here Virginia Government updates: Virginia Democrats Propose Redrawing Maps to Get Four New Seats - Newsweek By Kate Plummer Abigail Spanberger Pledges ‘Pragmatism’ — And Felon Voting Rights | The Daily Caller By Derek Vanbuskirk Will paid family and medical leave finally happen in Virginia next year? | WVTF By Michael Pope Spanberger announces new appointment for secretary of public safety and homeland security | WRIC ABC 8News By Nia McMillan FBI Richmond official who oversaw memo targeting Catholics testifies to Congress By Ashley Oliver Spanberger Taps FBI Agent Who Oversaw Anti-Catholic Memo By Tyler O'Neil Jay Jones Tries to Hijack Virginia’s Gun Laws Before He’s Even in Office ~ VIDEO By Ammoland staff RGGI Tax Rose Again. How, When Does it Return to VA? | Bacon's Rebellion - By Steve Haner Local tax option to pay for Virginia school improvements likely to succeed in 2026 | WVTF By Brad Kutner Virginia ranks second in U.S. for dishonesty, study finds | WAVY.com By Shannon Heckt MAJOR VICTORY — America First Legal Wins Lawsuit Against Fairfax County Public Schools for Telling a Girl to Share the Restroom with a Boy - America First Legal Lawmakers propose changes to marijuana retail framework By Cameron Thompson MILITARY COUP? Sen. Mark Warner Says He Hopes Military ‘May Save Us’ From Trump Presidency (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit | by Ben Kew What They’re Saying: Rep. Kiggans Introduces Bill to Lower Prescription Costs for Seniors Hung Cao - A Navy Diver In The Pentagon Briefing Room By John Konrad Virginia GOP Chairman Announces He Will Step Down By Joe Thomas Watchdog: Virginia's data centers reaped most of incentive funds since 2015 - Axios Richmond By Karri Peifer (3) Virginia GOP on X: "🚨SPOTTED in Richmond - the Radical Left is now viciously targeting public servants by posting their pictures around town and encouraging people to target and harass them and their CHILDREN. This comes as Abigail Spanberger & Virginia Democrats continue to demonize law https://t.co/ZrfA0OJ1NN" / X  Articles, News, & Quotes: Column: What monuments reveal about America’s truth By Shakia Gullet Warren of the Virginia Black History Museum Monument Lab Philadelphia based nonprofit dedicated to advancing justice by reimagining monuments as places for belonging, learning, and healing. UVA interim president to senators: Agreement with DOJ to pause probes was ‘best option available’ • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline (3) The Jefferson Council on X: "➡️What is the BOV and what can it do? The Board of Visitors (BOV) is UVA’s governing board — the legally responsible entity for major decisions about the university’s budget, policies, leadership, academic oversight, and long-term planning. That includes choosing or evaluating https://t.co/JLyF2EZnXp" / X VMI superintendent vows to lead the institution through a 'center line' approach - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer Amid federal investigations, George Mason leaders say negotiations continue with Dept. of Justice • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline FBI descends on D.C. pipe bomb suspect’s Virginia home – NBC4 Washington By NBC News & AP Virginia joins Chesapeake Bay states, D.C. in new watershed agreement • Virginia Mercury By Shannon Heckt Virginia to treat data centers differently on the grid - E&E News by POLITICO By Francisco Camacho Office of Public Affairs | Two Virginia Men Arrested for Conspiring to Destroy Government Databases | United States Department of Justice Henrico plans Dominion Energy solar farm on 1970s landfill - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno Raccoon gets drunk at Ashland ABC store, passes out in bathroom - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno  History & Tradition (4) Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration on X: "Can you guess where we are today? 👀 This peaceful estate in Charlotte County was the final home of Patrick Henry, Virginia’s first governor and the fiery voice of “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Answer in Comments 👇 https://t.co/66122n7Y9i" / X The Incoherence of Ken Burns’s ‘The American Revolution’ | Compact By Adam Rowe America 250: Presidential Message on the Anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine – The White House Holiday happenings at Colonial Williamsburg, starting this week Virginia Museum of History & Culture Build workshop to create dramatic scenes from the American Revolution from LEGO bricks The Road to Liberty | PragerU America’s founding brought to life through cinematic storytelling. December 4, 1783: George Washington Says Goodbye At Fraunces Tavern - This Day of History  The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty  Survey Reveals Public Stands With the Armed, Not the Lawless By Quantus Insights Gun Sales Surge in Virginia Ahead of Democrat Takeover – Bearing Arms By Cam Edwards The DOJ is Adding a Second Amendment Section | An Official Journal Of The NRA By Frank Miniter To Save the American Dream, Support the American Revolution › American Greatness By Thaddeus G. McCotter Critics Say Real ID 'a Tool for Control of Americans' By Kevin Stocklin Poll: Virginians back mail voting and photo ID as partisan anxiety holds steady • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Reproductive Freedom - by Sheila M Furey, MD (4) Tim Anderson on X: "Here’s why this ERIC bill ought to bother folks who care about honest elections. ERIC isn’t just a list-cleaning tool. It requires the state to hand over massive amounts of DMV and voter information into a centralized system that many of us believe creates real privacy and https://t.co/aEtwUPt7rr" / X Americans’ religious profile, visualized as 100 people | Pew Research Center Twisted History  Confederate statues from Charlottesville get a contemporary twist in L.A. - C-VILLE Weekly By Lisa Provence Help us to stop the further destruction and degradation of our historic past today! Help us fight for an honest, legal process to determine the fate of these historic pieces of art from Richmond. Decisions made by the mob are not a democratic process, but tyrannical. There have been some victories, but Virginia's monuments and history are still at risk of being erased. PLEASE DONATE HERE Moses Ezekiel birthday observance and the fate of The Reconciliation Monument Special virtual event 8 pm registration below: Nov 17 25 birthday report Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program. Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!" Freedom Member level: Simple membership is free when you sign up for our email newsletter or attend a monthly meeting. Liberty level: For an annual contribution of $100 you get the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings and a commemorative Virginia Council lapel pin. Patriot level: When you step up to make an annual contribution of $250 you receive first access to tickets to our annual Christmas and Patriot Parties, the commemorative Virginia Council pin, and the newsletter and monthly meeting access. President's Council level: For a commitment of $1000 you receive the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings, 2 lapel pins, 2 invitations to both of our annual parties, and 2 VIP tickets to one Virginia Forum lecture of your choice. We hope you'll find these rewards an added incentive to help fund our efforts to restore a full view of Virginia's history, monuments & role that government plays in our lives. We appreciate all your support and encouragement and look forward to bringing you more compelling voices of liberty, freedom, and conscience over the next year. To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here. To volunteer, click here. The Executive Board of the Virginia Council If you are interested in donating appreciated securities, we now have an account to make it easy for you (see the information below). Contact us HERE for more details.  The Virginia Council Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians. Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected. P. O. Box 5 Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, United States |
