DC Metro Action is a listing of local actions, entertainment, volunteer opportunities and the occasional rant on a wide range of socially just issues.
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Action of the Day Many of these action alerts are found on the listservs and websites of organizations listed in our "Act Locally" section (Left).
Monday, September 08, 2003
Message for the Mayor
As I drove up Massachusetts Avenue near Union Station over the weekend, I was startled to see block after block of luxury housing nearing completion. About a half dozen buildings between Fifth and Ninth streets. I guess the new convention center is expected to spruce up the area enough to support some serious yuppie action.
Across the street from some of the luxury apartments is a small park with a modest building that belongs to the House of Ruth, a homeless women's facility. As I thought about the contrasting structures, I realized the Mayor would never allow homeless people to mingle with the 100,000 upper-income residents he is moving into the city, and I wondered how long it would be before it was shut down. Barely a month after the city relented and reopened the Franklin School as a weather-related shelter, another shelter is being closed (see the item below).
Mr. Mayor, we really don’t care about the luxury housing you are building. It won't win you any votes, and the money that your business pals contribute won't be enough to help you keep your job. The grassroots in DC isn't impressed with your leadership. We're tired of your mismanagement and woefully upside-down priorities – from your baseball schemes to your fatcat dreams. You're going to be surprised at the strength of your opposition in the next election, if you make it that far.
DC Metro Action is published by Michael Schlesinger, a 32-year veteran of electoral and issue organizing who is committed to social justice and to increasing participation in the political process.
All original content (C) 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Michael Schlesinger
