Tuesday, May 26, 2026 • 7PM

SINGING FOR OUR LIVES: SONGS of Patriotism and Protest

2001 N. Coalter Street, Staunton

A benefit concert in aid of the ACLU’s legal support of Virginia’s immigrants will feature an impressive line-up of Staunton musicians

ABOUT THIS EVENT:

The Trump administration and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) have caused havoc in the lives of immigrants in Virginia (and across the United States). We have seen ICE agents arrest legal immigrants in courthouses, enter schools illegally to stalk children, and, in Minnesota, murder two American citizens.

Immigrants in Virginia live with the fear that they could be dragged off the street and detained. And worse, they could be separated from families and deported to another country. America, once a country that strived to be multi-cultural and welcoming to those seeking a better life, has become hostile and dangerous to a vulnerable community. Peaceful and productive residents of Staunton and Waynesboro have been forcibly detained in deplorable conditions and threatened with deportation.

The American Civil Liberties Union has been fighting for five decades for the rights of all immigrants to life safely and in peace. The ACLU of Virginia fights in court to “make liberty, justice, equity, inclusion, and dignity a reality for all people in the Commonwealth – regardless of their immigration status.”

The ACLU:
has sued ICE to win the release of dozens of immigrants
paved the way in court to release many more
fought to improve conditions in centers holding immigrants without due process

To help with the considerable legal costs of fighting for immigrants’ lives, Thom Wagner and Pamela Patrick of Staunton, VA, are holding a fundraising concert on May 26, 2026, in Staunton.
The concert will feature songs of protest and patriotism, performed by an impressive line-up of musicians:

Molly Rose Murphy and Friends, Molly Rose is a music teacher and the owner of Queen City Music Studios in Staunton and the vocalist of The Judy Chops
https://www.queencitymusicstudios.com/ https://www.thejudychops.com

Nathan Moore, local troubadour, is a storytelling songwriter and rock band frontman
https://nathansland.com/about

Mojo Parker is a solo singer of acoustic blues and folk music. He has recently created the eclectic The Mojo Parker Express, a concoction of funk, rock n roll, soul and Latin flavors.
https://mojoparker.com/bio

John Whitfield, a guitarist and vocalist who has played in prominent Valley bands since the early 1970’s, including Barnstorm, Whiskey Creek, and currently, Little Walter & the Convictions. He is the executive director of Blue Ridge Legal Services, the Valley’s legal aid society.
https://www.littlewalterandtheconvictions.com/

Thom Wagner and Friends, Thom Wagner is an Emmy-award winning composer, writer, and producer. He is the co-founder of The Arcadia Project in downtown Staunton and Caravanserai Music https://thearcadiaproject.org

Donations will be accepted at the door through a QR code. Suggested donation is $20

► More information