Friends,

We must continue making “good trouble.”

This weekend, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman John Lewis. Though he is, and will forever be, an icon in the fight for justice, he never sought the limelight. His humility, coupled with grace and determination, were the defining characteristics of his life.

For five years, I was lucky enough to be a constituent of Rep. Lewis. I grew up in southeast Georgia and, in August 1986, I moved to Atlanta for graduate school at Emory University. That November, John Lewis was elected to his first term in office.

I’ve long considered Congressman Lewis to be my representative in Congress and have felt a deep, abiding respect for his wisdom, vision, courage, and integrity. He has been our national custodian of justice, a truth teller who knew when and how to make “good trouble,” and a leader who has held fast to America’s moral compass, especially during these past four years.

We mourn because we need his clarity of voice and vision now more than ever.

Georgia is often labeled as a Southern state still weighed down by its legacy of slavery and racism. But this burden of oppression and injustice invariably gives birth to the fierce conviction necessary to address old wounds, renounce bitterness, and create pathways of light in the midst of darkness. Atlanta, Georgia — much like Montgomery, Alabama — was the crucible that birthed our passionate civil rights leaders: John Lewis, Andrew Young, Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Joseph Lowery, and Julian Bond.

Now, as we work our way through unprecedented crises that few of us imagined for 2020, Virginians have the opportunity to pick up that moral torch that Congressman Lewis and others have left for us. We must recommit ourselves to that vision of equality, democracy, and equity that they labored to create.

Demanding justice and space for marginalized communities:
This week, I served as a panelist for two national events: The Million Muslim Votes Summit, and a panel hosted by South Asians for Biden to discuss the rise in hate crimes across our nation.

This past Monday, more than 3,000 participants nationwide participated in the Million Muslim Votes Summit, an effort to engage voters ahead of November’s elections. Just prior to my panel session, Vice President Joe Biden also addressed the event and committed himself to policies free from bigotry and discrimination. He vowed to overturn the “Muslim Ban” on Day One of his presidency, ending four years of xenophobia that target certain countries and that separate families.

Yesterday, I joined a panel hosted by the South Asians for Biden organization to discuss the rise of anti-AAPI sentiment in the nation. We addressed the increase in hate crimes in general and the targeting of the South Asian community in particular. While my focus is on legislative actions that we can take to combat hate crimes, we must recognize that meaningful change can occur through a combination of efforts: education, dialogue, and community policies focused on inclusive action.

Continuing our work on criminal justice reform
Earlier this week, Governor Northam officially announced that our special session will be held on August 18. My colleagues and I will reconvene to reconsider the biennium budget and to take up the essential legislation regarding policing reforms and criminal justice reform that so many Virginians have called for.

COVID-19 and Schools in District 10
As we inch closer to the end of summer, conversations regarding public education in the fall have yielded important decisions. School Boards in Richmond City and Chesterfield County have voted to have a virtual start in the Fall. I know that these decisions were difficult to make, and our School Board members deliberated with care, taking into consideration the voices of teachers and parents, while also weighing health, safety, and education concerns. Powhatan County Public Schools will be making its decision soon regarding the upcoming school year.

Final thoughts
Although we have lost cherished icons of justice and civil rights this week, as we bid farewell to C.T. Vivian along with Congressman Lewis, we inherit their wisdom, their determination, and the obligation to continue the fight for policy actions based on moral convictions. Getting into “good trouble” is what we must continue to do, to honor the legacy of these men.

Please remember, if you need assistance or if you want to schedule a phone or conference call, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. You can fill out this form to request a meeting: [link removed]. We can also be reached by email at [email protected].

— Ghazala



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Senator Ghazala Hashmi was elected to represent Virginia Senate District 10 in 2019. She has led efforts in the General Assembly to support education, protect healthcare and the environment, and prevent gun violence. Senator Hashmi is committed to ensuring Virginia's government works for everyone.


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