Ashley Williams declared guilty; faces 7 years in prison.
Ashley Williams, a local mother who did everything she could to save her youngest son’s life, was convicted in relation to his death today. The child, who died of malnutrition, had an genetic disorder which his pediatrician failed to diagnose, despite his mother repeatedly taking him into the office and following every instruction the physician issued.
It is clear that the prosecution pursued this case only because Ms. Williams is a single black mother who is poor. She has essentially been convicted for lacking access to a better doctor for her child. The prosecution had no evidence that she ever neglected any of her four children, and so tried to whip up racist, classist sentiments regarding the suitability of a poor, single, black woman to be a mother.
This verdict is wrong- it ignores the facts of the case, and it is morally intolerable that a mother of three should be separated from her children in a Virginia prison for almost a decade because she had the misfortune to be poor and lack access to quality medical care.
I hope that everyone is prepared to assist the Williams family however they can in coping with this appalling injustice.
For a longer assessment of the history of the case, which has been aggressively against the truth since the beginning, see this writeup by the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice, and Equality, who have been following the situation since it began.
10:33 pm • 24 May 2013 • 5 notes
shamaninasuit:
Please help!
Richmond, VA, 23235
This is my cat Butterball, whom I’ve had since he was born. (I helped deliver him.) He’s a very good cat, and very important to me. However, I am going to be homeless starting on the 29th of May— I won’t have any way to support him or a place to keep him.
I love him very much, and I don’t want to take him to an animal shelter— I’d much rather see him go directly to a loving home, so I’m hoping that someone in the area can take him in. (In the future, if it’s possible, I’d really like to get him back, but as long as he’s with a loving family…)
He is an orange and white adult (older, but not elder) male cat who has been neutered. He’s very smart, and knows several words, including ‘no,’ ‘food,’ ‘snicker snacks (treats)’ ‘outside,’ and ‘lay down’. He’s litterbox trained but prefers the outside. He’s usually too lazy to hunt, but he loves to cuddle with people and is a very affectionate cat. He also loves people food, and is a terrible begger— and be careful if you have roast beef around him, he’ll go straight for it!
His health is good, but he sneezes a lot and sometimes likes wet cat food when he can get it because he is missing some teeth. (This is not a requirement, but he’ll love you for it!)
He’s a very lovely cat, and he deserves to find a loving home. Please, if you’re in the area and can possibly adopt him, please send me an ask and I’ll give you contact details to reach me. If you can’t, I humbly ask that you reblog this— I trust tumblr to help me find someone loving for him.
Calling Richmond cat lovers.
10:16 pm • 24 May 2013 • 941 notes
Richmond Friends of the Homeless needs a lawn mower.
Richmond Friends of the Homeless needs a working lawnmower in decent condition. If you have one you would like to donate, they will provide a tax receipt so that you can get a deduction. Contact them through the link.
12:58 pm • 23 May 2013 • 2 notes
Richmond Peace Education Center Summer Book Sale
Saturday, June 8th, from 8am-5pm, and Sunday, June 9th, from 1-5pm, at 3231 Kensington Avenue, Richmond VA, there will be a book sale to benefit the Richmond Peace Education Center’s youth conflict resolution programs. From the event description:
“Modern Literature; Middle Eastern Studies; Spirituality; Health; American History; African American History; Women’s Studies; Travel; Mysteries; and more.
Paperbacks $1. Hardbacks $2.
Some special items priced separately.”
12:43 pm • 23 May 2013 • 3 notes
Punk, Mental Illness, and Recovery: A Talk with Craig "Crusty Craig" Lewis
Friday, June 7th, at 7pm, at the Flying Brick Library (506 South Pine Street, Richmond VA) Crusty Craig Lewis will give a talk on punk, mental illness, and recovery. From the event description:
“Craig has been a part of the Boston punk rock community since 1988. He has been active playing in several bands, putting out the long running Upheaval Fanzine and also set up DIY shows for 15 years.
“Craig also has lived with the symptoms of mental illness his entire life. In the past several years, Craig experienced a remarkable recovery process which enabled him and empowered him to learn effective coping skills and to get a handle on his mental health struggles.
“Currently, after an amazing several years of intense struggle, Craig now is in recovery from his symptoms and works as a peer mental health counselor in Boston. Craig has the beautiful job of helping others improve the quality of their lives while drawing on his own lived experience.
“Craig has successfully rehabilitated himself and while he continues to struggle from time to time, he hopes that his inspirational story will be of benefit to his peers. Craig is determined to help his peers who struggle with mental illness and addictions, live happier and healthier lives. Please come out to hear Craig tell his story.
There will be a question and answer session after the presentation.”
A $5-10 donation is recommended, but not required. Free, open to the public, sober, and all-ages event.
12:35 pm • 23 May 2013 • 5 notes
Introduction to Finding Non-profit Funders with Foundation Directory Online Professional, at Main Library
Friday, May 24th, from 10am-12pm, at the computer lab of Main Library (101 East Franklin Street, Richmond VA), there will be a free class titled “Introduction to Finding Nonprofit Funders.” From the event description:
“This session provides an introduction to one of the key online tools for finding funders, Foundation Directory Online Professional. Learn how to create customized searches to develop lists of prospective foundation and corporate donors that will match your nonprofit organization’s funding needs. With Foundation Directory Online Professional you can search for foundations that support programs and organizations like yours, fund in your geographic area, and many other criteria.”
This event is free, but you must register to reserve a space by calling 804-646 7223.
12:26 pm • 23 May 2013
Restoration of Rights Training and Clinic
Saturday, June 1st, from 12-3pm, at 3rd Street Bethel Church (614 North 3rd Street, Richmond VA), Virginia Organizing is holding a clinic to help people with felony convictions have their rights restored.
Volunteers are needed for this event, to report to a training on site from 10am-12pm and to stay for the clinic to help attendees. See event page for details.
RSVP through the title link.
12:20 pm • 23 May 2013 • 2 notes
blackrva:
Repost! Share! You CAN be successful if you want to be. It’s hard work, but you CAN do it! Thanks Clovia for the info. Go!!!! (at East District Family Resource Center)
10:39 am • 21 May 2013 • 4 notes
rvanews:
Have you noticed blind students walking around town? Here’s what’s going on, and how you can help.
There is a local school for blind adults here in Richmond, and as part of their program, they often drop off their students in areas unfamiliar to them around the city.
Here’s some general etiquette outlined in the article, which applies to these students and to any blind person you encounter as a pedestrian:
- Do not force “assistance” or interaction on blind pedestrians. They are able to ask for help if they need it; if you impose, you are not being helpful, you are being invasive, offensive, and incorrect. As with anyone you meet in public, if you are worried for their safety, it is appropriate to politely ask if they would like assistance- but you must accept no for an answer.
Just as you would never touch a sighted pedestrian without permission or usher someone across a street without being asked, don’t do these things to blind pedestrians.
- Obey regular traffic patterns when you see a blind pedestrian waiting to cross at an intersection. They are relying on audible clues to navigate, and causing a disruption in the pattern in a response to their presence is unhelpful and could be very dangerous to them.
- Do not honk at a blind pedestrian to acknowledge them or say hello. This is both rude and dangerous. Use of the horn is a warning- if you use it frivolously you can confuse and frighten others, and cause dangerous situations.
While this was not covered in the article, here are some very basic rules regarding service dogs, which may accompany some (but not all) blind pedestrians, and many other people:
- The dog is working. Do not distract the dog in any way- do not pet, offer treats, whistle, rustle food at it, try to play with it, or call to it.
- You are talking to the person, not the dog. Except to navigate things like space requirements, or perhaps to ask if the handler would like a bowl of water set out for the dog (if you are working at a restaurant or business), don’t direct conversation to the dog. If you are in a business, like a restaurant or grocery store, do not exclaim over the dog- just keep doing what you’re doing.
- Service dogs are allowed to come inside businesses, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Business staff are allowed to ask if the dog is a service dog, but are not allowed to ask what functions the dog performs for the person. Staff may not ask to see paperwork.
- Service dogs are highly trained, up to date on their shots, and nonaggressive. If a dog barks or growls, it may be doing its job and providing a warning or responding to a medical sign. Remain calm.
- Don’t take pictures of a service dog team (dog and handler) without permission. Do not interrupt a person’s day by asking to take a picture of their dog.
1:01 pm • 20 May 2013 • 15 notes
