DC Metro Action is a listing of local actions, entertainment, volunteer opportunities and the occasional rant on a wide range of socially just issues.
contact me at dcmetroaction@comcast.net
Solidarity DC is a group committed to bringing the DC metropolitan area's progressive community together to have fun and achieve justice, one happy hour at a time! To learn more about the event or Solidarity DC or to get email updates, contact solidaritydc@gmail.com.
Through effective legal advocacy, Lawyers for Children helps children in the child protection system because of abuse and neglect, with a highly dedicated and trained network of volunteer attorneys.
Just Garments is the first independent and fully worker-owned, cooperative garment factory in El Salvador. It is made up of thousands of workers who were blackballed by the established garment factory system in El Salvador after trying to organize a union.
Join in on Thursday, June 30, at 5:30 p.m., at Andalu (1214 18th St. NW). The suggested donation is $10, but no one will be turned away. All proceeds go to Lawyers for Children and Just Garments. Live music will be featured, with the Nate Clendenen Duo, DJ Rob, DJ Ted Shred, DJ Reehee along the usual Solidarity DC Happy Hour Prices!
Rally to Wipe Out Debt for ALL Impoverished Nations
On June 11, the finance ministers of the G-8 announced that 18 impoverished countries will have their debts cancelled by the biggest creditors, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. We know that limited debt relief so far has enabled countries to double or triple spending on poverty reduction imagine what an impact 100 percent debt cancellation will have on these 18 countries!
The work is not over! Join Jubilee USA Network, Africa Action, the American Friends Service Committee and the 50 Years Is Enough Network at a creative rally calling on the G8 to expand the list to include all impoverished nations and to cut the conditions as the current agreement states that any countries beyond the 18 will have to comply with harmful economic conditions to be eligible for 100 percent debt cancellation.
Rally on Wednesday, June 29, at noon, in Lafayette Park (16th and H Streets NW).
The 12th Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty takes place on the sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court. Stop by not only to show a strong public witness, but also to meet other anti-death penalty activists and "recharge your batteries" while engaging in public outreach and maintaining a physical presence at the Court. The vigil starts at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, and runs through midnight, Saturday, July 2. For more information, visit www.abolition.org.
If you're in the area working for a progressive nonprofit and want to share ideas, meet new people and have a great time, check out the next Nonprofit Networking Happy Hour. Don't forget to bring information to share about your organization brochures, business cards, upcoming events announcements, etc.! You can also bring items for the free raffle books, bags, etc.
The Princess of Controversy will headline an open mic night on Monday, June 27, at Bossa (2463 18th St. NW). The doors open at 8 p.m., admission is $5, and performers get in free (come early to register). For more information, call Laurie at 202/352-5635.
Rally with the District of Columbia Grassroots Empowerment Project (EmpowerDC) at the Capitol Hill office of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX). Let the Senate know that it is unacceptable and disgraceful to have Senators who do not live in DC interfering with the decision made by DC residents concerning gun control (See "Congress Wants More Guns for D.C." from DCist). Express your outrage and opposition to the devastating cuts to Section 8 and public housing programs by the President Bush and Congress.
Meet up at the Russell Office Building (First St. and Constitution Ave. NE) on Tuesday, June 28, at 3 p.m. For more information, call 202/234-9119.
Join a 24-hour vigil commemorating the 8th Annual United Nations International Day in Support of Torture Victims and Survivors. It starts at 7 a.m., on Sunday, June 26, at Lafayette Park. For more information, contact 202/529-2991, niky@tassc.org or www.tassc.org.
The Plan-It-X Fest is coming to Washington on Monday, June 27. It all starts with a vegan potluck at noon, followed by a showing of the film "Green with a Vengeance", a gardening/plant workshop and games at the Brian Mackenzie Infoshop (1426 Ninth St. NW). At 4 p.m. there will be a Critical Mass bike ride over to a night of music at Cafe Mawonaj (624 T St. NW) from 5 p.m. to midnight. Local bands Head-Roc War Machine and This Ghost Town will join the Plan-It-X lineup. Tickets for the whole day and night are $10 and are available in advance from the Infoshop. For more information, contact sweazl@aol.com
The 27th Annual Great Labor Arts Exchange which brings together union members, artists, educators and youths to celebrate the rich culture of working people and to strengthen the union movement is happening now through Tuesday, June 21. Also running until tomorrow is the 8th Annual Conference on Creative Organizing, where union staff, organizers and activists are trained to use art, music, poetry, theater and other creative strategies.
The events are taking place at the National Labor College (10000 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD). Two events are free and open to the public. A special labor evening of spoken word on Monday, June 20, at 8 p.m., and An evening of labor music and culture, on Tuesday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Peter Jones Labor Heritage Foundation at 202/974-8040, info@laborheritage.org, or www.laborheritage.org.
An afternoon of music, speakers, remembrance and fellowship will commemorate the historical day that the Emancipation Proclamation was finally enacted for all African Americans. The modern Juneteenth Celebration and DC Music Festival will commemorate the 140th anniversary of the day, June 19, 1865, when Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, to establish the Emancipation Proclamation as law in the last state of Confederate rebellion two and a half years after the date of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
The Juneteenth Celebration and DC Music Festival will be held on Sunday, June 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at the African American Civil War Memorial (U and 12th Streets NW). The site in case of rain is the Dynasty Ethiopian Restaurant (14th Street and Florida Avenue NW).
Scheduled musical performers include the Head-Roc War Machine, Mello D and the Rados, Machetres, DJ Sam "The Man" Burns, Flash Gordan, DJ Curtis Lee, DJ Stylus, DJ Dub, DJ Vince Brown and the Lucky Lions Martial Arts Troop. For more information, send an e-mail to juneteenth@head-roc.com, or go to this website.
Miriam's House is a residence for homeless women living with AIDS, including some who have children. It is a community in which compassionate attention is given to the housing, medical, personal and spiritual needs of its residents. Miriam's House is located in a three-story apartment building in Northwest Washington DC and can serve 20 residents and accommodate staff.
Help them out by attending a fundraising concert on Saturday, June 18, starting at 9:15 p.m., at the Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW). Enjoy an evening of music by Andy Zipf, Ris Paul Ric (Chris from Q and Not U, Martin Royle (from Washington Social Club)and the Gena Rowlands Band. The ONE campaign will also be there, and you can pick up a wristband and sign the ONE declaration. Admission is $8.
Come to the Virginia Grassroots Coalition election day gathering. The video "We Are All Smith Islanders" will be screened, followed by a serious discussion of environmental issues in the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed. After the program, everyone will watch the election returns. Join in on Tuesday, June 14, at Capitol City Brewing (2700 S. Quincy St., Arlington), from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
The June meeting of the Washington, DC Irish Northern Aid Committee will be held at Flanagans' Pub (7637 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda; two blocks from Bethesda Metro) on Tuesday, June 14. A dinner/social will be held at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 7. The meeting will involve a discussion of the recent INAC National Convention, the May 25 congressional hearing on Northern Ireland, meetings on the Hill, and more. For more information, call Randy at 301/325-5560 or e-mail Brooke at Murphy1916@aol.com.
The DC Dyke March is this Saturday, June 11, starting at 1 p.m. at Dupont Circle. The pre-march rally will feature Leslie Feinberg, trans activist and author, and Stacey Long, partner of the late Wanda Alston. In case of rain, Dyke March volunteers will be at the Circle to direct marchers to a dry location nearby. Everyone is welcome to participate in DC's most radical Pride event!
Also on Saturday, the annual Pride parade kicks off from Dupont Circle at 6:30 p.m.
Presented by Manna CDC, the 2005 Shaw Freedom School is a day of community discussions and information sharing for local residents on critical issues that are affecting the future of our families, homes, community and city. It's on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Immaculate Conception School (711 N St. NW). For more information, contact Marta Vizueta at mvizueta@mannadc.org or 202/232-2915.
Our Iraqi sisters and brothers are facing continued opposition to their heroic efforts to build a genuine labor movement that can be the cornerstone of a new independent, free Iraq. The old regime is gone but the current occupation by US and British forces has continued the old regime's anti-union laws. Unionists are harassed, imprisoned and assassinated. Now, six brave trade unionists representing three large federations of workers are challenging all of the obstacles put in their way to visit the United States to meet US workers, relate their truths to us, and take home our support. These are the voices we are not supposed to hear!
Six Iraqi unionists are visiting the States and will arrive in DC this weekend. You can be part of this historic visit on Sunday, June 12, at Plymouth Congregational Church (5301 North Capitol St.). A reception will be held at 2:30 p.m., with presentations by the six Iraqi unionists, and solidarity remarks from labor, peace, and social justice organizations will begin at 3 p.m. For more information, contact Denice Lombard at denice@ap.net, or check out this website
Join in a local collaboration with global impact! Attend a fundraiser that will help create a cultural exchange between communities in Mozambique, the U.S. and Brazil via the Grupo de Capoeira Angola Mocambique, a youth organization committed to the preservation and study of capoeira and grass roots activism using capoeira as a vehicle. Capoeira is a martial art, now popular in Brazil, that originated in southern and central Africa and combines elements of dance, music, acrobatics, style, wit and spirit.
Check it out on Friday, June 10, starting at 9 p.m., at Cafe Mawonaj (624 T St. NW), a community restaurant and lounge that serves up a soul-full gumbo of culture, activism and global cuisine. The event, organized by Chocolate City Productions and Mt. Nebo Records, will feature plenty of live music reggae, samba, hip hop, soul and roots along with more world music spun by DJ. Admission is $10 at the door, $5 for ladies before 10 p.m. For more information, contact Kojo at 202/679-8240.
The Rhythm Workers Union will host an evening of rhythm consciousness with a drumming workshop, rhythm games and an all-out jam session. Learn to drum...then learn to drum TOGETHER. Spoken word artists, poets, singers, musicians, dancers and all are welcome on Wednesday, June 8, at Dynasty Ethiopian Restaurant (2210 14th St. NW). Help support the restaurant by coming in for delicious eats and drinks during community time from 6 to 7:15 p.m. (this is how the space is being paid for). Otherwise, please bring a few bucks to drop in the hat.
7:15 p.m. Opening jam
7:30 p.m. Workshop to cover the basics of conscious drumming
8 p.m. Facilitated jam session
9:30 p.m. Closing circle
Please bring a drum or percussion instrument if you have one! (There will be some extras if you don't!)
Did you just get to DC for a job or school? Do you have interns this summer that you'd like to expose to the DC-area network of their peers already in nonprofit fields? Are you a young nonprofit professional who wants to get optimum exposure to DC's progressive and activist side? The Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (SALSA) and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of DC (YNPNdc) invite you to a fun-filled evening of networking and information-gathering. Whether you're interested in internships, the nonprofit sector or the activist community, you're sure to learn more and connect at this event.
SALSA offers skills training in fundraising, communications, organizational development, techno-activism and research as well as policy seminars that combine political theory with policy critiques. SALSA is a program of the Institute for Policy Studies.
YNPNdc's mission is to promote the interests of and build opportunities for tomorrow's nonprofit leaders. This is accomplished through: professional development, networking, raising awareness of job opportunities, social events and an online community. Get the chance to meet the YNPNdc network and other members of the nonprofit, social change community during this mixer featuring a brief presentation.
It's happening on Monday, June 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Mimi's American Bistro (2120 P St. NW; Dupont Circle Metro), with appetizers and happy hour drink specials. For more information or to RSVP, call 202/234-9382.
Community Harvest was founded in 1997 on the belief that all people should have access to good, healthy food, regardless of ones neighborhood or income level. Learn more about the activities of Community Harvest, meet the staff, and have a relaxing night with your friends and family at a fundraising dinner and concert on Friday, June 3, at Potter's House (1658 Columbia Rd.; Columbia Heights Metro). The event starts at 7 p.m. with a homemade dinner and desserts for sale, and at 8 p.m., folk guitarist and songwriter Eric Keller will perform. A $10 donation at the door is requested. For more information, contact Ingrid Natasha at 202/577-3437 or ingridnatasha@yahoo.com.
Why do some people in DC have access to healthy food and others don't? How do biotechnology and chemicals in farming affect the environment and our health? How do the government, big agribusiness, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization hurt small farmers in the US and worldwide? What are people doing about all this?
Find out about these issues, and share your insights and organizing strategies on how to address them, at a teach-in sponsored by Mobilization for Global Justice. Brief presentations by speakers will be followed by a lot of time for discussion on Thursday, June 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at All Souls Unitarian Church (1500 Harvard St. NW). For more information, send an e-mail.
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
The 12th Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty takes place on the sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court. Stop by not only to show a strong public witness, but also to meet other anti-death penalty activists and "recharge your batteries" while engaging in public outreach and maintaining a physical presence at the Court. The vigil starts at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, and runs through midnight, Saturday, July 2. For more information, visit 
The 27th Annual Great Labor Arts Exchange which brings together union members, artists, educators and youths to celebrate the rich culture of working people and to strengthen the union movement is happening now through Tuesday, June 21. Also running until tomorrow is the 8th Annual Conference on Creative Organizing, where union staff, organizers and activists are trained to use art, music, poetry, theater and other creative strategies.
The events are taking place at the 
An afternoon of music, speakers, remembrance and fellowship will commemorate the historical day that the Emancipation Proclamation was finally enacted for all African Americans. The modern Juneteenth Celebration and DC Music Festival will commemorate the 140th anniversary of the day, June 19, 1865, when Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, to establish the Emancipation Proclamation as law in the last state of Confederate rebellion two and a half years after the date of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
The Juneteenth Celebration and DC Music Festival will be held on Sunday, June 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at the 
Come to the 
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