Dear friends and fellow citizens,
It has been five years since mob-fueled violence was unleashed on the streets of Richmond. The hysterical un-democratic crowds pressured and gave cover for the mayor and governor to break promises and the bounds of civil society. The despoilation and improper removal of more than a dozen statues and monuments - with virtually no opportunity for rational debate, discussion, or public comment - is still an open sore on the body politic of Virginia. They are lying on the grounds of the Richmond sewage treatment plant, disrespected but not forgotten. Some of them, are, in fact, among the finest examples of equestrian statuary of the late 19th century, cast in the same foundries that produced works for Rodin.
Polls taken before the precipitous removals along Monument Avenue and elsewhere in the city showed a majority of Virginians wanted them left in place with the addition of contextual media. At The Virginia Council we agree with the majority. That’s why we have consistently supported a legal struggle to keep the statues and monuments in Virginia, restored to public view, and to halt further degradation of their artistic and historical value.
That legal battle has reached a crucial moment: The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, perhaps the most respected Civil War battlefield preservation organization in the nation and plaintiffs in the case, have filed motions this past week to halt the movement of some of the monuments to a Los Angeles' museum, where they will be displayed along with others torn down across the country. The Foundation contends that the city illegally transferred them with an improper procurement process and that nothing should be done to or with the statues until true ownership is decided through transparent and fair state-mandated guidelines, which, according to the filings, the city has ignored.
Now is the time to donate to support the Foundation's legal effort! If you have given before, thank you for getting us to this point. Please help us finish the task at hand and donate again. Every penny will go to the Foundation’s fight to ensure these priceless historical artifacts are properly preserved! Here's the link to do so NOW. Again, thanks for your help since these uncivil events during that hot, violent summer five years ago which was a catalyst for the start of The Virginia Council.
Sincerely,
Will McGurn
Interim President, The Virginia Council
PHOTOS: Maury statue removed from Monument Avenue
PHOTOS: Statue of Stonewall Jackson removed from Monument Avenue in Richmond
We have all worked together for so many years and the time is upon us to stand up for our convictions and principles!
Please donate now to help preserve and defend the guideposts of our past.
DONATE HERE
Virginia Election Updates:
Virginia's off-year elections key bellwether ahead of midterms By Julia Manchester
Spanberger: Open to data center tax breaks, sees inland port as 'transformational' and U.S. 220 improvements as 'vital' - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey
Winsome Sears: July 8, 2025 Interviewed by Jeff Katz
Virginia Democrats are eyeing 13 potential seats that could flip blue this year | WVTF By Michael Pope
(2) NOVA Campaigns on X: "Open borders-amnesty Abby @SpanbergerForVA: “I certainly want to protect every person who might be interested in arriving at the United States; claiming asylum, working here, coming as a refugee, whatever the parameters or the need that begins their desire to move to our https://t.co/o70Uxup0NO" / X
Update: Earle-Sears campaign responds to CNBC ranking By Barndon Jarvis
Interview w/ John Reid - GOP nominee for Lt. Governor Chris Saxman interviews Republican Lt. Governor candidate John Reid.
CORTEZ: Entrepreneurship, Immigration Surge as Key Virginia Latino Voter Issues By Daniel Cortez
Where does Earle-Sears stand? Nobody really knows because she won't make herself available for serious questioning. - Cardinal News By Dawyne Yancey
(2) Jason Miyares on X: "The Northam-era early release law cuts sentences for inmates still deemed high risk for violent reoffending—no questions asked. In its first full year, nearly 10,000 inmates got out early. Half have already been rearrested. https://t.co/7VA6s0VUQJ" / X
DLCC to help Hashmi - by Brandon Jarvis
Virginia AG Jason Miyares Slams Dems’ Soft-on-Crime Policies By Joe Thomas
(2) Tyler Englander on X: "Inbox: Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Beto O'Rourke is holding a town hall in Henrico County later this month. https://t.co/qwWhUgXfku" / X
AG Miyares backs veteran’s fight for disability benefits | Articles | fairfaxtimes.com By Samir Ali Nomani
National Republican group with ties to Trump is attacking Jay Jones - Virginia Scope By Brandon Jarvis
Did AG Miyares Investigate LG Earle-Sears for Ethics Law Violations? By Josh Stanfield
At Northern Va. rally, GOP statewide ticket shows unity after months of party turmoil • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt
State's first-ever audit of campaign finance report leaves many questions unanswered - Cardinal News By David M. Poole
(3) A Guy on X That's On a Mission. Live by the Code on X: "🚨Matt Moran Implodes: Drugs, Dirt, and Disappearance Confirmed by two independent sources: Matt Moran has been let go from Creative Direct. The company reportedly reached its limit with Moran’s alleged behavior, which includes: - Suspected drug use - Financial misconduct - The" / X
(2) Jason Miyares on X: "98 people from 40 countries became Americans at Fort Monroe this morning. On the 4th of July, there’s no better reminder of what makes this country special than welcoming new Americans to freedom and opportunity. Happy Birthday, America! 🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/fpDMgbkpSO" / X
We're having a “Patriot Party” on Thursday, July 17th
to celebrate the kick-off of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, & Virginia's crucial role in the founding of the Republic.
There's a $25 per person charge for BBQ by Deep Run Roadhouse, Drinks, & music by Whitehall Road, all at the family friendly
Woodside Farms in Glen Allen, VA.
We hope you can join us so we can personally express our thanks for your help and encouragement and our excitement for the year ahead.
RSVP HERE
Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates:
Gov. Glenn Youngkin says his family was saved from catastrophic Texas flooding | WRIC ABC 8News By Katelyn Harlow
Youngkin's Deregulatory Results Are a Model for the Nation | National Review By Dominic Pino
Virginia drops in America's Top States for Business Ranking 2025 By Scott Cohn
Youngkin marks early success on regulatory reform, sets new goal for 35% reduction • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt
Bristol Swift Water Rescue heads to Texas to support search and rescue amid flooding By Liam Bridgeman
As part of FEMA Review Council, Youngkin to assess state, federal disaster coordination • Virginia Mercury By Shannon Heckt
Could ICE detention funding trickle down to Virginia's closed prisons? | WVTF By Brad Kutner
Report outlines challenges of Va.’s special education compliance system, recommends improvements • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline
Fighting the prevalence of gun suicides requires more attention, action • Virginia Mercury By Roger Chesley
Joint cannabis commission holds first meeting amid push for regulated market • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt
New law requiring all passengers to wear seatbelts now in effect in Virginia By WSLS staff
Southside farmers don’t think new solar farm rules will stop farmland loss By Nick McNamara
Articles, News, & Quotes:
UVA's Gretchen Walsh Is Once Again The ACC's Female Athlete Of The Year By Jackson Caudell
Revive Civics Education for America’s 250th By Madison Marino Doan & Jonathan Butcher
Nation’s Top Public High School ‘Violated’ Law By Sharing Info With Chinese Group, Emails Show By Leif Le Mahieu
How a Univ. of Virginia gun incident drew DOJ’s ire By Tyler Kingkade
(6) ((( C'villeBubble ))) on X: "🔶⚔️🔷Months after the @CivilRights investigation of Jim Ryan's UVA began, DOJ received a new complaint about race in Spring admissions @UVAMcIntire. The School of Commerce "invited candidates to identify themselves by race, gender, or other DEi-type characteristics" so UVA could https://t.co/4ZEQqkaMgr" / X
Ryan’s resignation marks a ‘turning point’ for the Jefferson Council - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Cecilia Mould
Data shows Virginia has surged in immigration arrests at a rate greater than Florida or Texas By Emily Harrison
Richmond cut a deal to get its inspector general to leave. It’s so secret, officials can’t even say it exists. By Graham Moomaw
UVA - Good Fathers, Flourishing Kids Report.pdf The Importance of Fatherhood in Virginia By Brad Wilcox, Nicholas Zill, Richard Reeves, Ian Rowe, Gerard Robinson, & Linda Malone-Colon
Virginia children thrive when their fathers show up, study finds - Washington Times By Emma Ayers
City planner, wife ran Airbnb in violation of city code By Samuel B. Parker
Richmond has spent at least $6.7 million on water crisis | WRIC ABC 8News By Ryan Nadeau
(6) Nick Minock on X: "❗️New: After Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis claimed officers arrested Richard Cox for indecent exposure in a women's Planet Fitness locker room, I FOIA'd FCPD for the police body cam video and the report. However, FCPD is not giving us the body cam video or the report. https://t.co/qMvTlTnFHv" / X
Data shows Virginia has surged in immigration arrests at a rate greater than Florida or Texas By Victor Davis Hanson
Planned Parenthood centers in Virginia brace for potential Medicaid funding loss By Brigette Kelly
School board to consider renaming Armstrong High School, community members are split By Victoria A. Ifatusin
Richmond finance director Sheila White resigns By Michael Phillips
Virginia History & Culture - Spring/Summer 2025 by Virginia Museum of History & Culture - Issuu The Revolution Takes Shape: Summer 1775
WATCH: Ready for VA250 - Fredericksburg Free Press As the George Washington Foundation showed on July 4th, history sites around the region are ready to tell the many stories of Colonial America.
The Fightin' Frenchman - Style Weekly Living historian Charles Wissinger plays the Marquis de Lafayette at St. John's Church. By Karen Newton
King Arthur's Court: 50 years after conquering Wimbledon, Ashe's legacy remains strong in Richmond By Mike Bergazzi
Interviews & Videos of Interest
Benjamin Franklin and the Self-Made Man: Making America | PragerU
By Dinesh D'Souza
Only On 8: Richmond’s top election official sits down for one-on-one interview | WRIC ABC 8News By Jamal Williams
American Citizenship and Its Decline By Victor Davis Hanson
(5) Nick Minock on X: "🚨For months, I’ve been trying to interview Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis about why FCPD hasn’t charged a sex offender for allegedly exposing himself in women’s locker rooms across the county. After Davis refused to be interviewed, I showed up to his press conference. https://t.co/03FJSRuCsB" / X
(5) Mount Vernon on X: "🏺 George Washington designed this room to reflect the ideals of a new country—see how. https://t.co/W4uZLWZBdF" / X
The Virginia Press Room | Podcast on Spotify Michael Pope is joined by:
Lauren Burke of Black Virginia News (and formerly Pod Virginia), Chris Saxman of the VIP Podcast, & Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues
WATCH: Last week of digging at Ferry Farm in 2025 - Fredericksburg Free Press At the site of George Washington's boyhood home.
The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty
IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates By Daniel Burke,
Bob Smietana, Jack Jenkins
The FOIA Fee Double Dip - by Josh Stanfield
(7) RVA Republicans on X: "Democracy in its most beautiful form. Local journalist (@gmoomaw) provides pointed feedback on an issue he has intimate knowledge of. Local political candidates (@linnehanforVA @PradoFor78th) acknowledge and consider his perspective. The public benefits. https://t.co/5X7518vrB5" / X
The feds' hidden immigration weapon: Virginia's surveillance network By Kunle Falayi
The Virginia Council has been blessed with unwavering support from the community since its founding a few years ago. And we decided to add some new ways to thank you for your ongoing assistance in our efforts to educate and inform Virginians.
"Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program.
Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!"
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 |
