League of Direct Action" (LDA) "Old Problems, New Solutions

By Hassan Shabazz, VAPOC

The League of Direct Action is an alliance which evolved out of a congruous relationship between organizations founded by prisoners who are residents in the Augusta Pre-Reentry Self-Governing Community to address deficiencies in our communities. With a focus on the issues of literacy/education, physical & mental healthcare, poverty, and prison & criminal justice reform, "Kids Doin' Bids," "Healing Hearts," "Trillionaire Academy," and "Virginia Prisoner of Conscience (VAPOC)" have come together in a conglomerate effort to link with other organizations to serve the community through creative direct action by providing grassroots solutions to problems which have largely gone unaddressed thereby fostering positive change where there once was none.

The first project to be spearheaded by LDA is called "Read to L.E.A.D." L.E.A.D. is an acronym that stands for Learn, Explore, Advance and Discovery. The "Read to L.E.A.D." initiative was founded upon the principle of promoting literacy in the communities of those who have been disproportionately affected by the social ills of mass incarceration and poverty. This literacy program will provide free books to children that they can check out and then return to their local community recreation center. After writing a short essay about the book that they have read they will receive a raffle ticket. Raffles will be done at a certain time of the month for prizes and this will provide an incentive for their participation in the "Read to LEAD" program.

As a part of this mission, leading up to the "Read to Lead" launch, the LDA will be at the "Harvest Fest" October 31, 2019 in Richmond, VA, 900 Decatur Street, sponsored by "Rise For Youth." We will be there to show community support, introduce ourselves, and distribute books to the children as a precursor to our own event. We are inviting all organizations that are about the work of direct action to join the league and come out to participate in this event. If you are vendor tables are $25. If you are a nonprofit tables are free. If your interested contact: Shabe Scott at 804-629-0746

The LDA is also a part of the "Virginia Prison Justice Network" (VAPJN) For more information on LDA organizations and updates for the date and time of events, please go to:

Facebook: "Virginia Prison Justice Network" "Kids Doin' Bids" "Trillionaire Academy" "Healing Hearts Incorporated"