This Friday matters because Virginia begins early voting. The official early-voting period runs from September 18 through October 31, ahead of the November 3 election. RSVP to get your NEW LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2026a
As voting begins, we want to start with something that too often gets lost in political coverage: the people living inside the policies we debate.
Immigration is not an abstraction. It affects students wondering whether college is still within reach, parents trying to navigate a complicated legal system, families worried about detention and enforcement, and communities trying to understand what local police, sheriffs and federal immigration authorities can and cannot do.
So Friday we are looking at immigration from three different human perspectives: the student, the person inside the legal system, and the community.Then we’ll close with a special spotlight on another question about government, history and public space: the proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, where veterans and preservation advocates are speaking out.
And underneath all of it is the vote. September 18 is the beginning of voting season in Virginia. This is when we want people getting informed, making their voting plans and understanding what is happening around them.
Guests:
• Zuraya Tapia-Hadley, CEO, The Dream Project, Arlington School Board Member.
• Lorena Perez McGill, Immigration Attorney & Advocate.
• Monica Sarmiento, Executive Director, Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
• Susan Douglas, Third Act DMV, STOP THE ARCH Spotlight. VoteVets video:
Susan will talk about the campaign challenging the proposed arch and why veterans, preservation advocates and Third Act activists are speaking out.
NEW FRIDAY POWER LUNCH REGISTRATION LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2026a
*Everyone, including longtime FPL regulars, needs to register again with the new link.
This is a really strong show to bring people back into the room: students, families, due process, community rights, history, veterans and the first day of voting in Virginia.