GET PREPARED FOR THE FUND OUR SCHOOLS (FOS) RALLY/LOBBY DAY, FEB 19TH

What: Fund Our Schools (FOS) Lobby and Rally Day

When: Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 (President’s Day); Lobby 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Rally begins at 1:00 p.m.

Where: Lobby Day starts at 8:30 a.m. at John Marshall Ballrooms, 101 North 5th Street, Richmond, VA, 23219; Rally starts at 1:00 p.m. at the Bell Tower at Virginia State Capitol, 101 N 9th Street, Richmond, VA, 23219.

Fund Our Schools Lobby Day!

RSVP HERE

Join us for a lobby day! We’ll be visiting our elected officials to urge them to fight for public school funding. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  RSVP Today.

VEA Briefing on FOS Lobby/Rally Day

Join Us for a VEA Briefing on Sunday, February 18th at 5:00 p.m. for FOS Lobby/Rally Day.

Use the following link to join the briefing on Sunday, Feb. 18th

https://veanea.zoom.us/j/89143721893?pwd=NFkxNlFuOUZJelZjdnNKM2RVcGpJdz09

Agenda for Lobby and Rally Day

8:30 a.m. – Meet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for Briefing (Breakfast Provided)

9:15 a.m. – Walk over to General Assembly Building to Lobby Lawmakers

11:30 a.m. – Return to John Marshall Ballrooms, 101 North 5th Street, Richmond. (Lunch Provided)

12:30 p.m. – Attend Fund Our Schools Rally at Capitol Bell Tower (across the street from church)

1:00 p.m. – Rally Begins

Parking Options for Lobby/Rally Day

Paid parking for Capitol Square visitors is available from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday in excluding state holidays the 9th and Franklin Street Parking Deck. Parking rates are (debit or credit cards only) $5/hour or $20/day.This parking deck can be accessed by heading North on 9th street after turning onto or crossing Main Street. Immediately after the Bank Street stop light the parking deck entrance is on the left. Along with the Google Directions below is a map showing the paid public parking deck.

Street View of the 9th street parking deck

The first pedestrian entrance to the Capitol Grounds, which is ADA accessible, is opposite the parking deck on 9th street at the historic Capitol Bell Tower.

The public entrance for the General Assembly Building is on 201 North 9th Street through the south-facing doors with steps and ramp.

• • 1. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Virginia Health Department guidelines will be followed regarding masks and social distancing. Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most indoor settings. A member, staff person or other person may wear a mask, if that is their preference.
  • 2. Temperature check stations will be removed from entrances, and will be placed in other parts of the building for those who would like to check their own temperature.

Building Occupancies

Capitol Police, in collaboration with the State Fire Marshal, enforce the occupancy loads for the GAB and Capitol Buildings and have a process for tracking these numbers in real-time. If capacity is reached, access will be temporarily halted until numbers decrease.

The maximum capacity for the Capitol Building is 1,958 and the General Assembly Building is 12,169.

Self-guiding brochures of the Capitol and Square are available for download and from Capitol Tour Guides.

Metered parking is available on Main Streets and Cary Streets and is controlled and enforced by the City of Richmond. You can access downloadable maps and rates on the various parking decks and lots around the General Assembly Building. Please note that during the legislative session parking in the area may be limited.

Other Parking around the GAB and Capitol Buildings

Additional Accessible Parking:

Private vehicles with handicap placards or plates are able to unload passengers on Bank Street near the new public entrance at 10th Street. Five parking spaces zoned for handicapped drivers are located on the north side of Bank Street, between 9th and 10th Streets with a two hour limit.

Other Public Parking Options:

Please note with the exception of handicapped parking, there is no other public parking on the Capitol Square grounds.

Pay parking lots and decks are nearby on 9th and Franklin, Grace, and 7th and Marshall Streets.

Downloadable maps of nearby parking lots and decks are available, as well as rates for these areas.

Note: Due to ongoing construction projects in Downtown Richmond, some parking lots listed on the links above may not exist any longer. If you have any questions about parking lots in the Capitol vicinity, please call the Capitol Tour Desk at (804) 698-1788.

ACCOMODATIONS

Please click on links below to get VEA’s discounted hotel rates in case you need overnight accommodations.

Omni – https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/richmond/meetings/virginia-education-association-lobby-day-02182024  Attendees can also call in to make their reservation: 800-the-Omni (800-843-6664) and reference the Virginia Education Association Lobby Day Room Block

Courtyard – https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1706640225073&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Marriott – https://book.passkey.com/event/50765883/owner/12987/home