By Abby Block: Protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police have spread across the nation, not just in big cities but also in small communities — like our own Mason District here in Fairfax County — that don’t typically respond in organized fashion to events far outside their boundaries. Hundred joined in on Mon.,…
It’s time for Democratic voters in Fairfax County to decide who will carry the party’s standard at the polls in November for US representative in the 11th Congressional district. To help voters decide, The Blue View asked both candidates – incumbent Gerry Connolly and challenger Zainab Mohsini – to answer the same four questions on critical topics facing our nation…
By Diane Burkley Alejandro: We all were horrified as we watched the video showing a Minneapolis policeman extinguishing George Floyd’s life with his knee. Fairfax County is not Minneapolis. But on Friday June 5, we were reminded that police violence occurs here, too. Body-cam footage initially showed police and other first responders calmly talking to a man who appeared to…
State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) has been criticized by 33 leaders of Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) for favorable comments he made about public education under Jim Crow segregation. Petersen made the comments Thursday, June 11, on a radio talk show and apologized after the Fairfax County NAACP called them “racist and hurtful”. The FCDC leaders’ statement acknowledges the apology…
By Karen Kirk: “I believe we’re on a trajectory for a big win in November because Trump has shown himself to be an incompetent fool and a narcissistic figure,” U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) said Wednesday during an online Hunter Mill District Democratic Committee meeting. Connolly said we will have a chance to rebuild America in a more progressive way…
By Susan Laume: Va. Lt Gov. Justin Fairfax was on hand to address protesters at the Beyond the Wall March for Justice in the Gum Springs community in Mount Vernon on June 9. The United Methodist Church event was planned in coordination with civic leaders and drew approximately 500 citizens to the peaceful demonstration. Fairfax told the racially diverse crowd…
By Marcus R. Motta: The Fairfax County NAACP drew an estimated 1,000 vehicles to a rally recently designed to demonstrate that large protests can be safely mounted during the pandemic. The event, Justice for Black Lives Car Rally, was staged in the Fairfax County Government Center parking lot on Wed., June 3. Attendees, who had reserved parking spaces earlier through…
By Brad Swanson: My son’s text decided me. “If you wanted to go, I would say today’s the day.” The previous night, he had been caught in the unprovoked rush of police out of Lafayette Square to clear a space for Trump’s photo op at St. John’s Church. He had not been injured but shared the outrage of millions at…
By Abby Block: Many of the nearly 73,000 Fairfax County residents who applied for unemployment insurance between mid-March and mid-May have most likely lost their employer-supplied insurance or were already uninsured and are facing hardship paying premiums. What are the options available for them, and all uninsured residents? First, regarding coronavirus, testing and treatment is available free or based on…
By Marcus R. Motta: Do you think Donald Trump needs to see a psychiatrist? Do you still need more motivation to get involved to get Trump out of office in November? If your answer is yes to either question you need to read the “Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President” By Bandy…
By Susan Laume: (Editor’s Note: This is the second of an occasional series on Virginia’s 2020 animal legislation.) Animal welfare is an issue where “two Virginias” are often evidenced in citizen viewpoints: rural and urban. Perhaps nowhere has the difference in views of what constitutes humane treatment been seen as acutely as in the multi-year legislative debate over adequate shelter…
By Steve Verdier: As I first-time phone banker, I am finding much the same satisfaction as canvassing – and often with a higher response rate, as so many voters are at home these days. I used to say about canvassing, “There’s a new friend behind every door.” Phone banking is similar, but without the chance of rain or overly excited…
With the covid-19 lockdown in place in northern Virginia until at least May 29 — two weeks later than the rest of the Commonwealth — it is more important than ever to know the resources available to support residents and businesses in our region. Most recently, Fairfax County has just announced a $25 million grant program for small businesses and…
By Susan Laume: (Editor’s Note: This is the first of an occasional series on Virginia’s 2020 animal legislation.) Companion animal advocates are among those with reason to celebrate the new Democratic majority in 2020’s Virginia General Assembly. This year, grassroots progressives saw nearly a dozen bills pass related to long fought for animal care and humane treatment. With major changes…