Thank you to everyone that showed your support with my first debate last night. Your donations are being put to work immediately to connect with voters districtwide. If you tuned into the debate last night, you saw first hand why the broadband policy I released is so critical. All of us have had the frustration of slow, unreliable internet (including in the debate!). As us parents are sending our children back to school, internet access is becoming a critical component for online learning plans and ultimate success. However, too many Virginians are being left behind.

I’m running for Congress to make broadband access a priority. Virginians deserve to have access to reliable internet access. Do you agree? If so, read my opinion piece and be sure to share with others.

This issue has been a problem our district has been facing for as long as I’ve lived here. Even before the pandemic, I remember seeing students doing their homework in McDonald’s parking lots. They had to use the restaurant’s Wi-Fi because of slow speeds at home.

That’s why I’m releasing my Last Mile Broadband Plan. High speed internet must not be a luxury. Read more about this plan and help push it out to your networks using #BacktoSchool

CALL TO ACTION: Listen, one person can’t create change alone. But we can when we rise up together to demand our communities aren’t being left behind. That’s why I’m not asking you to just support this policy. I’m asking you to actively ORGANIZE with me. My team has built you a broadband organizing toolkit below. Download the infographics, start a conversation with your friends and family, use the talking points to speak on this issue with confidence.

Together, we can and will make a difference. Thank you for fighting alongside me on this important issue.

Qasim

*Your Broadband Organizing Toolkit*

Important hashtags to spread the word: #BacktoSchool #TeamRashid #VA1
Be sure to mention me so I can see your thoughts! @QasimRashid

Tweets to retweet, comment, and like:

https://twitter.com/QasimRashid/status/1295698962511355905?s=20
https://twitter.com/vademocrats/status/1295455484409974785?s=20
TWEET THREAD: https://twitter.com/QasimRashid/status/1295363540623253504?s=20

Talking points on the Last Mile Broadband Plan:

Broadband should be treated like a utility.
Access to broadband internet would make rural communities more vibrant and residents more productive by improving access to education, health care, broader markets for goods, increased telecommuting, and expanded cultural resources.
Expanding broadband access to every American would cost between $20B and $350B depending on technology used, speed, and technical specifications.
Private markets will not allocate these resources to completing rural broadband access because firms see no return on investment.
Government subsidies in the form of $22B in loans and grants have not appreciably expanded broadband access in rural communities since 2013. This is largely because these programs use questionable data and methodologies for identifying communities that lack access.
Allowing state and local governments to provide internet access as a public utility is the best answer. Today, state and federal law places limits on this solution.

Infographics to download and share with your networks:

Qasim Rashid is a human rights lawyer who has dedicated his life to supporting women who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and to serving children from vulnerable communities. Qasim is running to transform his advocacy into results for the working families of Virginia’s 1st District.

Qasim aspires for a campaign built on transparency and trust, and is putting in the work to connect with voters districtwide. Together, you and Qasim, can make Virginia an even better place to call home. Contribute now.

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