Friends,

This week, we reflect on Labor Day, celebrate Rosh Hashanah, commemorate the sobering Twentieth Anniversary of September 11, 2001, and address a few updates that concern us in District 10.

Reflections on Labor Day
This past holiday weekend, I spent some time reflecting on the contributions of the American labor movement, a movement rooted from its very beginning in collective action. I am grateful to the workers who stood united in the fight for fairer working conditions and protections for all, as they laid the foundation for strong, pro-worker policies in this country.

In just the past two years, we’ve made incredible strides for workers in our Commonwealth. During the 2020 and 2021 legislative sessions, the General Assembly was able to pass numerous worker protections, including: increasing the minimum wage, adding labor protections for workers with disabilities, anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ workers and for domestic workers, and securing stronger protections against sexual harassment in the workplace. As a result, Virginia is no longer ranked the worst state for workers: it has risen from dead last to 23rd in OxFam’s annual rankings. We will continue to build on those successes as we move forward.

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah: Shana Tova!
My team and I wish everyone who celebrates Rosh Hashanah a joyous new year. One of the holiest holidays in Judaism, Rosh Hashanah is a time of repentance and self-reflection. It’s a time to take stock of the world around us, reflect on our blessings, and look forward to the new year with renewed vigor and purpose.

Update: Virginia Redistricting Commission
Redistricting — and ensuring that it is done in an as fair and impartial manner as possible — is a crucial component of our democracy. To that end, the Virginia Redistricting Commission just released its first set of maps. You can view them here, as well as provide public comment.

These maps were drawn from scratch by two sets of consultants under the guidance of the Commission, a notable departure from previous redistricting that fell under the direct purview of lawmakers. This new approach is designed to empower citizens to have a leading voice in the redistricting process. Therefore, your input is valuable and necessary. To participate in the process, you can review map proposals drawn by the Commission, attend virtual meetings, and submit public comments using this website.

Unemployment Benefits Expiring
COVID-19 related federal unemployment programs authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Continued Assistance Act (CAA), and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expired on September 4.

We know that this expiration presents additional, immense challenges for so many families struggling to make ends meet in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. We continue to seek resources and support for our constituents in need. Here is a current list of resources. Please do not hesitate to share this list of resources with loved ones, neighbors, and colleagues who may need continued assistance.

Robert E. Lee Monument Removal
After many years of struggle and effort, a remaining vestige of Richmond’s Confederate past was removed on Wednesday morning. While many in this city and throughout the Commonwealth hold an emotional connection to the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue, others felt a direct and visceral connection to all the pain, suffering, and scars that it reflected. The statue was an embodiment, for many, of the inhumanity of slavery, a paradoxical celebration of a brutal and bloody civil war that nearly severed this country, and a remaining open wound of racist ideology. Removing the Lee monument opens doors for reflection and healing. It also lights the path in front of us as we commit ourselves to the hard work of dismantling systems of racism and oppression. A new chapter begins for Richmond and for the Commonwealth.

Remembering September 11, 2001
Twenty years later, the contemplation of the profound tragedy of September 11, 2001, remains a painful wound in our collective consciousness. For those of us old enough to remember, that bright and amazingly blue September morning transformed into an unimaginable horror, affecting each of us directly. For many of us in Virginia, the attack on the Pentagon was especially close and personal; friends, family, and colleagues were lost or affected. As Americans and as a common humanity, we were all brought to a standstill by the tragedies of that day. For me, personally, I remember that day with vivid clarity. September 11, 2001, was my toddler’s first day of a Mother’s Morning Out program at a nearby church. She cried frantically when I left her alone with her new, welcoming teachers at 8:30 that morning. By the time I returned to gather her back up in my arms and hold her tight, our world had forever changed, and I didn’t know what this new world meant for my young daughters or any of our children.

As we reflect on the twentieth anniversary, we must resolve to remember how, on that tragic day, the entire world mourned with us and how we found opportunities to unite in our grief. So many channeled their energies towards opening pathways of dialogue, demonstrating compassion, building bridges, and promoting understanding.

If you are seeking a way to commemorate the day with family and friends, you will find a list of local ceremonies and events here.

Contacting our office
I continue to have one-on-one meetings with constituents and organizations, both by Zoom and (now) in person. If you want to schedule a meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. As a reminder, email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected]. You can also schedule a meeting through our easy scheduling app.

— Ghazala