A group of local residents gathered Wednesday, July 16, outside the Martinsville municipal building to hold a food drive and voice concerns about a range of political and social issues.
The event, which included signs, speeches and a donation table, was organized by community members including Mindy Wegener. Donations benefited the Community Storehouse.
Callie Heitala, public information officer for Martinsville City Schools, and Joe Keiper, executive director of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, helped staff the donation table.
Delegate candidates Melody Cartwright, running in District 48 against Republican incumbent Eric Phillips, and Adam Murphy, running in District 9 against incumbent GOP Wren Williams in 2026, were both present.
“Today, our community, state, and nation are being aggressively attacked on many levels. And I am ready and willing to take on this fight to the state level,” said Cartwright. “The Trump administration has pissed me off now. They are going against our children, dismantling our education and healthcare systems, taking away food security for kids, and taking away Medicaid for the working poor.”
Local horror author Mark Rainey said his main concerns are healthcare and science, and that his family is directly affected.
“I’m struggling with healthcare for my wife. So many people stand to lose a lot more,” Rainey said. “The current political climate is scarier than anything I could write.”
Lynn Pedersen, secretary of the Martinsville-Henry County Democratic Committee, spoke about how recent policies have impacted her family.
“Every single member of my family is being affected by this administration,” Pedersen said, citing concerns for her transgender granddaughter, her daughters affected by abortion restrictions, and a son-in-law whose job is at risk.
She also voiced frustration over cuts to weather reporting services. “I know for a matter of fact their funds got frozen,” she said.
“This is not about fraud and abuse. It’s about abuse—from the current administration and the one percent,” said Cartwright. Murphy echoed the call for civic engagement, saying, “Just like John Lewis, let’s carry that spirit forward with us. Let’s build some good trouble today, tomorrow, and every day forward.”
Heitala said the food drive exceeded expectations, with essential items like milk, butter and eggs donated.
“We did this last time at the No Kings Rally, and it was overwhelming—the other people who contributed food or didn’t know and wanted to bring something,” she said. “Our coolers are already filled up with important items that they don’t usually have.”
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